NHS trust reviews surgery in bone cement shortage

Patients are being warned of potential disruption to planned orthopaedic surgery amid a global shortage of medical cement.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said its clinical teams were reviewing planned operations and would be prioritising patients based on their clinical need over coming weeks.

"We know this news may be worrying for people who have already waited a long time for joint replacement surgery or other planned procedures and apologise for any uncertainty," a statement issued by the trust said.

Patients will be contacted directly if there is any change to their planned care, and staff will do everything they can to avoid or minimise delays, the trust added.

The supply shortage came after Heraeus Medical, the main supplier of bone cement to the health service, had to temporarily halt production at its main site, affecting supply for up to two months.

The German firm supplies about three-quarters of the bone cement needed in the NHS. The product is used in more than 1,000 operations a week, mostly in knee replacements, but also in some hip and shoulder replacements.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare said it was taking all possible steps to minimise disruption, adding emergency and urgent trauma operations would continue as normal.

The trust is working closely with Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board, NHS England and procurement teams to understand the full picture and to make the best use of alternative suppliers where possible, the statement said.

Patients have been advised they do not need to call the hospital and anyone affected will be contacted personally.

The trust runs East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and services at other sites including Crawley and Horsham hospitals.

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