McMillan Attends National Osteoporosis Society 25th Anniversary Reception

Stuart McMillan MSP was one of a group of parliamentarians who attended an Evening Reception to mark the 25th anniversary of the National Osteoporosis Society.

The Reception, which was held in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament was organised to allow the National Osteoporosis Society to say a very big thank you to all of the MSPs, officials, health professionals, members and dedicated volunteers who have supported the Charity in Scotland since it began in 1986.

Professor David Reid, Chair of the National Osteoporosis Society paid tribute to everyone who has contributed significant time to supporting their work in Scotland and highlighted the huge progress which has been made in service provision, especially in the last few years. Professor Reid described how all mainland health board areas now have at least one DXA scanner available locally, and explained that almost 80% of the Scottish population now have access to a Fracture Liaison Service. A network of osteoporosis specialist nurses work together with the Charity’s staff in Scotland providing information and support to help people who have newly diagnosed with osteoporosis to manage better.

The National Osteoporosis Society’s Development Manager for Scotland, Anne Simpson expressed her gratitude to everyone who has helped the charity:

‘This evening’s reception is really to say a very big thank you to everyone who has helped the National Osteoporosis Society since our humble beginnings in 1986. In those 25 years, knowledge of osteoporosis has improved immeasurably and more people than ever before are being diagnosed and treated with a growing number of treatments. I would also like to thank all of our MSPs for their strong and consistent support in Parliament, both at constituency and national level.’


A system of support groups and volunteers throughout Scotland provides ongoing local support and the latest information across a range of bone related subjects, including drug treatments, nutrition, bone health and local and national policy. The Glasgow Support Group, who have been meeting monthly for over 23 years, are the longest serving group in the UK.

To date this year alone, nearly 1000 people have attended events organised by the National Osteoporosis Society in Scotland. Since the National Osteoporosis Society was first established, well over 100 awareness, information and support events have taken place throughout the country to raise awareness of the disease from Lerwick to Kelso and Stranraer.

At the Reception, the charity also took the opportunity to call for the existing Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) to be protected, particularly at a time when health cuts are being made, the National Osteoporosis Society insists that FLS must not be seen as an easy target .