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REPORT TO MARK BOARD ON THE MOBILE
OSTEOPOROSIS SCANNING SERVICE (MOSS)
The
following is an extract of the report was given by R.W.Bro. Nigel
Buckingham, Deputy President of the General Board at the
Communication
of Grand Lodge held on 12th June, 2007.
"Since
the commitment to donate three million pounds to the National
Osteoporosis Society (NOS) was made at the Royal Albert
Hall in October 2006 the sum of £350,000 has been released of
which £200,000 has been expended. The proposal by NOS
gave background information on the incidence of painful and
disabling fractures of the hip and spine due to osteoporosis,
which occurs in almost 1 in 2 elderly women, and 1 in 5 elderly
men. Diagnosis of the disease is essential in order
to institute preventative measures and treatment for those at
risk. Osteoporosis is diagnosed by dual energy x-ray scanning
(DXA). At the time of the proposal there was insufficient DXA
scanner provision in the National Health Service (NHS),
with areas of the country where there were long waits for an
appointment, and long journey times to hospitals with a
scanner, particularly for
those from rural areas.
The proposal
was to construct up to ten mobile scanning units each comprising a
26-foot truck fitted with DXA scanning equipment
to be sited in target regions where there was perceived to be the
greatest need. The first scanner was built in time to
be exhibited outside the Royal Albert Hall in October last.
Following the donation, the National Osteoporosis Society
formed a limited company
(MOSS), as a registered charity to administer the mobile service
and commission further scanners
in due course. A project manager Mr. Richard Munro was appointed
and is advised by an expert task group. It was
intended to use the first scanner in the Sussex/Surrey area as a
pilot scheme before commissioning units.
Earlier this
year negotiations were conducted with Health Authorities in the
area and the following difficulties became apparent:
• Primary
Care Trusts who have the power to commission scans are currently
being reorganised and many commissioning
officers are not in place.
• Commissioning
officers who are in post are waiting for decisions of the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence,
and the Quality Assurance Framework Executive, which will give
guidance on scanning and budgets.
• The
Government has recently funded Diagnostic Services contracts with
private companies such as ATOS and Mercury
Health, who will shortly be providing the mobile service we
envisaged.
• Government
money has been made available to hospitals to purchase scanners,
and this has occurred in the East Surrey
and Sussex NHS Trust at Redhill where NOS had identified a
shortfall.
Conclusion:
While the unanticipated increase in NHS and private provision of
scanning for Osteoporosis is to be applauded,
the MOSS project should not replicate or compete with existing or
developing new services. The background to the
initial proposal of clearly defined areas of deprivation which
would automatically welcome a mobile service has dramatically
changed. Before commissioning any further scanners a fundamental
review and appraisal of this changing scenario
must be made, and this will be undertaken by NOS market
researchers from local support groups."
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