NHS joint surgery disrupted amid bone cement supply problems

NHS leaders have warned that a shortage of medical bone cement is expected to cause delays in joint surgeries for some patients. This situation has arisen because Heraeus Medical, the principal supplier of this critical material to the NHS, has suspended production at its key manufacturing site for a two-month period. The German company provides approximately 75% of the bone cement used in the NHS, which supports over 1,000 operations weekly, including most knee replacements as well as certain hip and shoulder procedures.

Hospitals have been instructed to give priority to emergency cases, particularly older patients who have experienced falls or sustained broken hips, over those awaiting planned joint surgeries. At present, there are around 850,000 individuals in England on waiting lists for joint treatments, representing the largest specialty backlog. NHS England has issued guidance recommending that hospitals focus their resources on patients enduring the most severe pain or complex conditions. Despite hospitals having about a two-week supply of bone cement in stock, efforts are underway to boost availability by sourcing from the NHS’s four other suppliers.

Patients are being advised that their appointments and surgeries are expected to proceed as planned unless they receive direct communication stating otherwise. Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Arthritis UK, described the shortage as “a crushing blow for those individuals who have finally made it to the front of the orthopaedic surgery queue after a long time waiting.” She emphasized the importance of hospitals communicating swiftly with affected patients to minimize anxiety and uncertainty. Alsina also highlighted the broader implications, noting the significant pressure on the government to reduce waiting lists and meet challenging targets.

Heraeus Medical explained the production halt resulted from a critical machine failure during upgrades at its main site. A company spokesperson expressed regret over delivery delays, underscoring the priority placed on patient wellbeing and customer satisfaction. NHS England confirmed that this supply issue is a global concern and is directing hospitals to prioritize trauma and urgent care while managing waiting lists according to patient needs. Fergal Monsell of the British Orthopaedic Association said the organization is collaborating with NHS leaders to mitigate the impact and that hospitals may increasingly perform operations that do not require bone cement. He reassured that surgeons will receive updates as the situation evolves to ensure patient care continues as effectively as possible

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