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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, officially opened the Healthy Bones Service of Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon on June 9, 2009. The service includes the new Healthy Bones Mobile DEXA Unit, which was launched on the same day.
The mobile unit was added to the facility in order to bring bone density scanning services to people who do not have immediate access to hospitals, such as those in rural areas or who have transportation issues. These scans are necessary to monitor bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
It is anticipated that the new service will greatly benefit Devon and Cornwall, which have populations that are significantly older that other regions in England. According to this NHS site, “the rate of hip fracture for people aged over 65 years in Devon and Cornwall is more than twice the national average”.
Camilla is the President of the U.K’.’s National Osteoporosis Society.
After her tour of the Derriford Hospital, The Duchess of Cornwall proceeded to a visit of the Exmoor Pony Centre in Somerset.
Image: Bauer-Griffin