Four new state-of-the-art bone-scanners are coming to the NHS in the South West, to help protect vulnerable people from osteoporosis and other bone conditions.

They are part of a £2.6m government investment in early diagnosis and fracture-prevention, under the 10 Year Health Plan.

The four new machines – known as Dexa scanners – are among 21 being delivered across England to expand capacity and replace ageing kit.

They will help diagnose fragile bones and prevent painful, life-changing fractures, particularly among older people and women, who are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis.

The scanners are going to:

• Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH) – one replacement for Exeter and a new device for the community diagnostic centre in Bideford, which is due to go ‘live’ next year
• Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) – replacement

• University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) – replacement

A Royal Devon spokesperson said: “Securing funding for a replacement Dexa scanner at our Royal Devon and Exeter (Wonford) Hospital is fantastic news for our patients and colleagues.

“It will deliver greater resilience for our services and improve the overall experience for those patients needing a bone density scan.”

Penny Lewis, Lead Osteoporosis Advanced Practitioner at RCHT, said: “We’ve worked hard to ensure our Dexa service provides patients in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with quick, accurate bone health assessments that support early diagnosis and timely treatment.

“A new scanner will help us continue offering this high-quality, reliable care so patients receive the investigations they need.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Too many women are suffering painful, preventable fractures because osteoporosis is diagnosed too late. That has to change.

“These new scanners will help thousands of patients get tested sooner, start treatment earlier and avoid the trauma of life-changing breaks.

“We are cutting waiting times and modernising the NHS so it works for patients – preventing illness where we can, and delivering care faster for those that need it most.”

Osteoporosis affects millions of people in the UK. Women are at far greater risk, especially after the menopause.

Fractures linked to weak bones can lead to loss of independence, long hospital stays and reduced quality of life.

Earlier diagnosis means patients can begin medication and make lifestyle changes to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of breaks.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the expansion marks a significant step forward in tackling a condition that too often goes undiagnosed until a serious fracture occurs.

Note to editors

Dexa stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The scanners measure bone-density and are the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture-risk.