Toowoomba residents empowered to protect their bone health

GPs on Curzon, with Quality Improvement support from the PHN, have provided eligible patients with the opportunity to protect their bone health.

Last year, more than 193,000 fractures occurred in Australia due to poor bone health, many of which were preventable (Healthdirect, 2024). The prevalence of osteoporosis and bone fractures has a significant impact on quality of life and places a heavy burden on the health system.

The GPs on Curzon team identified eligible patients aged over 70 who had not had a Bone Density Scan in the last 24 months. With the partnership of Reframe Osteoporosis, 180 patients were identified and invited to receive a free Medicare-funded bone scan in The Bone Bus.

The Bone Bus is a mobile bone densitometry service that is fully set up to scan patients and send results to the referring GP. From 25 to 27 August, The Bone Bus operated from the GPs on Curzon location in Toowoomba and conducted bone scans on 56 patients.

Of the 56 patients who visited The Bone Bus, 14 were found to have osteoporosis, 27 were found to have osteopaenia, and 15 were found to be within the normal limits.

Patients found to have osteoporosis or osteopaenia have been engaged by the practice for follow-up care, and all patients were provided with resources and education.

The activity was successful in empowering patients to protect their bone health and access earlier intervention than they would likely have received without the initiative.