Central Alerting System
View Alert


Originator: DHSC & NHS England and Improvement: Supply disruption alert

Issue date: 26-Aug-2021 15:35:29

This alert has been issued to:
  • Care Trusts
  • Mental Health Trusts
  • Specialists Trusts
  • Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Mental Health & Social Care Trusts
  • Ambulance Trusts
  • Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Acute Trusts
  • Community Trusts

  • Other contacts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • Social Care Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Special Health Authorities
  • GP - Locum
  • NHS 111 and Out of hours providers
  • GP Practices
  • DHSC Supply Disruption - Medicines
  • Community Pharmacy
  • Primary Care Networks
  • GP Practices 1

Action category: Action

Title: Becton Dickinson blood specimen collection - supply disruption

Broadcast content:

Becton Dickinson has alerted us to a shortage of products from their Blood Specimen Collection Portfolio that is impacting across most main blood tube supplies.

Working closely with DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, the MHRA and colleagues from the devolved administrations, given the impact on other parts of the UK, NHS England and NHS Improvement is co-ordinating the NHS’ response in England, on a national basis.

The supply position remains constrained and is forecasted to become even more constrained over the coming weeks. While it is anticipated that the position will improve from the middle of September, overall supply is likely to remain challenging for a significant period.

The tubes impacted by this shortage are:

1. 5mls Yellow top – SST 2 – clotted sample (e.g. U&E, LFTs etc)

2. Purple top – EDTA (e.g. FBC, HbA1c)

This alert contains further information and action for providers.

Please note that no response is required via the CAS website to this alert.



Additional information: NHS England and NHS Improvement Regional Offices: please cascade this alert to Community Pharmacy.

Alert reference: SDA/2021/010

Action underway deadline: 31-Aug-2021

Action complete deadline: 01-Sep-2021

Attachments:

Contact our helpdesk

Email: safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency