A shortage of medical cement could lead to delays in patients receiving hip and knee replacements and other pre-planned surgeries, experts have said.<\/p>\n
Due to a global supply issue from the NHS\u2019s main provider of bone cement, hospitals have been ordered to ensure supplies are directed to trauma and urgent care.<\/p>\n
Campaigners said the news is a \u201ccrushing blow\u201d to patients who have been waiting for surgery.<\/p>\n
Bone cement is used to anchor artificial joints and fill the space between the new joint and the patient\u2019s bone.<\/p>\n
There are several different types of medical cement that are used in operations, including orthopaedic and dental surgery.<\/p>\n
It is understood the NHS has supplies for the next two weeks and officials have estimated there could be a gap of six to eight weeks\u2019 supply.<\/p>\n
Heraeus Medical, the main supplier of bone cement for the NHS, reported a packaging fault affecting its bone cement products.<\/p>\n
The issue has temporarily halted production at its main site and will impact product availability for at least two months.<\/p>\n
An NHS England spokesperson said: \u201cFollowing a global supply issue, the NHS is issuing immediate guidance to hospitals to ensure trauma and urgent care can safely continue, enable the use of alternative suppliers where possible, and to support prioritisation of orthopaedic waiting lists based on patients\u2019 needs over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny stock already in hospitals is unaffected, and the NHS is working closely with Government and leading professional bodies to ensure safe and effective care can be provided while supply is resolved, and to reduce delays for patients requiring less urgent care as far as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n