Thousands to be sent for scans as GPs paid to spot brittle bones

Under the pay for performance part of the GP contract, family doctors have to earn a proportion of their practice income by hitting targets to pick up problems among their patients.

From today GPs will be paid for every patient they diagnose with osteoporosis and begin treating with drugs to prevent further bone deterioration and fractures.

Once a patient has suffered a fracture the doctor should assess them, send them for a bone density scan and begin treatment where necessary in order to receive the payment.

It is expected that the average GP practice will earn about £1,500 a year in this way.

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