As you may be aware, German-based company Heraeus Medical supply bone cement to a large proportion of the world and UK markets. A packaging fault temporarily stopped production at Heraeus’ main stile. Whilst production has now restarted, product availability will be impacted for at least two months. This is a global issue.
Bone cement is a special, fast-hardening plastic compound (like super-strong grout) used by surgeons to fix artificial joints to living bone.
As per national and regional NHS guidance, this will impact a small number of Northumbria Health patients as we need to postpone private planned joint replacement operations that use cement.
All other care provided by Northumbria Health is continuing as planned.
Those on the NHS elective waiting list for joint replacement operations that use cement are being constantly reviewed based on clinical priority.
We appreciate that this will be very disappointing for affected patients, and we will get in touch as soon as we can to rearrange your planned operation.
This situation is a changing one and we will keep people updated as things progress. We are still taking enquiries about joint replacement procedures, so please get in touch if you would like further information.
