Summary
The NHS has found new sources for medical cement needed for joint surgeries after a supply issue. Production problems at their main supplier caused delays, but now they have secured enough supplies for the next 10 to 12 weeks.
Key Facts
- The NHS faced a shortage of bone cement needed for joint surgeries.
- The main supplier, Heraeus Medical, halted production due to a machine failure in Germany.
- This shortage affected knee and hip replacements and other surgeries requiring bone cement.
- The NHS had only two weeks' supply, primarily serving emergency and complex cases.
- The NHS secured new supplies from Zimmer Biomet and increased supplies from Johnson and Johnson.
- The new supplies can support surgeries for 10 to 12 weeks.
- Operations using the alternative bone cement can resume across the UK.
- There are 850,000 patients waiting for planned joint treatments in England.
