Bone cement shortage likely to lead to joint surgery delays, NHS warns
Summary
A shortage of bone cement is causing delays in joint surgeries within the NHS. The main supplier, Heraeus Medical, has paused production, affecting operations like knee replacements. Hospitals are focusing on emergency cases and seeking other suppliers to manage the shortage.Key Facts
- Bone cement is in short supply, causing delays in joint surgeries such as knee, hip, and shoulder replacements.
- Heraeus Medical, the primary supplier, paused production due to a critical machine failure.
- The NHS uses bone cement in around 1,000 operations a week.
- Hospitals are prioritizing emergency patients, such as those with broken hips, over the waiting list.
- There are 850,000 patients on the waiting list in England for planned joint treatments.
- NHS England aims to increase supplies from four other manufacturers.
- NHS guidance focuses on treating patients in severe pain or with complex conditions.
- Hospitals currently have about two weeks' supply left of bone cement.
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