The government has announced funding for 20 DXA bone scanners for 2026, to support the diagnosis of osteoporosis and other bone conditions across England.
Six additional scanners will expand capacity in trusts across the country, and 14 replacement machines will be brought in to modernise outdated equipment with improved image quality.
While the SoR welcomes the £2.6 million investment and the role these scanners will play in strengthening bone health services, it warned that meaningful impact requires sustained support for the radiography workforce, whose expertise is “critical” to safe, effective delivery.
'Critical, effective service delivery'
SoR president, Katie Thompson, said: “The Society of Radiographers welcomes the government’s investment in 20 new DXA scanners, recognising the important role this will play in strengthening bone health services and supporting faster, more accurate diagnosis across England. This announcement represents a positive step toward earlier identification of osteoporosis and improved prevention of avoidable, life‑altering fractures.
“However, achieving meaningful impact requires more than new equipment. Recent assessments show that many bone health services/fracture liaison services, are already under significant pressure, with rising demand placing additional strain on existing teams. To ensure this investment delivers its full benefit, it must be accompanied by sustained support for the radiography workforce — including Diagnostic Radiographers and radiography assistant practitioners, whose expertise is critical to safe, effective service delivery.
“With appropriate workforce investment, this programme can deliver long‑term improvements for patients and the wider healthcare system as part of the required investment in fracture liaison services.”
The scanners - known as DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) machines - measure bone density and are vital for diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture risk.
For more information on the role of radiographers in DXA and their importance to osteoporosis services, click here.
Painful, preventable fractures
Osteoporosis is a bone condition affecting millions in the UK, but women are at far greater risk, especially after 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.
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.”
This funding builds on the first wave of funding announcements for 13 scanners last year, 10 of which are already in use – in 2025, more than 16,000 extra DXA scans were delivered compared to 2024.
It further delivers on the government’s commitment to 15,000 additional bone density scans each year.
DXA scanners funded in 2025/26 for:
- North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Barts Health NHS Trust
- Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
- University Hospital Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Humber Health Partnership
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Northumbria-healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
DXA scanners funded in 2024/25 and currently live to patients:
- Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
- Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
(Image: Photo by Dizfoto, via Getty Images)