The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has only got a 10-day supply of blood bottles due to the national shortage.
The trust says, however, it is being well managed having achieved better usage of the stock it currently has, although fewer than expected bottles are being delivered.
Suppliers of blood bottles to the NHS, Becton Dickinson, had alerted the health services to a shortage of its tubes last month which ultimately resulted in the temporary stopping of all non-urgent tests.
The shortage has been blamed on supply chain issues caused by the testing of COVID patients and the continuation of routine tests, leading to increased demand.
In a letter to all health services affected, NHS England and NHS Improvement said it is anticipated the position will improve from mid-September but the overall supply is likely to remain challenging for a significant period.
Alternative products are being sought but it would take time to import the products and deliver them in the volume that is required.
The letter said it was important and urgent that demand is reduced as much as possible, including the halting of blood testing in primary care and the community until September 17, except for clinically urgent testing.
Acute and mental health trusts were also told they must reduce their demand by a minimum of 25% in the 3-week period up to 17th September.
Steve Parker, the medical director of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said they had been asked to do add on tests from previously-stored samples, rather than taking further specimens.
Speaking at the trust’s board meeting, Dr Parker said:
“Over the last couple of weeks this has been an ongoing issue, we have been able to demonstrate a ten per cent reduction in the number of bottles and tests undertaken.
“We have achieved better usage of the bottles we had by circulating stock to make sure it does not go out of date.”
Despite the issues with delivery, Dr Parker said they seem to have a good grip on the situation and are able to manage.
As we all are trying to cut down on plastic use these days do the blood test phials get recycled to make new ones?
Here’s a thought, how about washing them at a high temperature and then re-use them, better than grinding them down and making them back in to what they already were!
Shame St Marys lost all my blood tests I did recently: about 8 vials. The batch for the day was apparently lost, so they are not doing much to help the problem if there is a shortage. I have to go back and repeat all my tests
You trying doing a frontline job, with the pressure and shortage of staff, the hospital is at breaking point now. What with and extra 50,000 people over here at the moment it will push it to the limits.
A mate of mine goes to Southampton for his blood tests because St Marys is never able to send on the results. Gets ‘lost’.
Too many managers springs to mind.
When things get difficult try the manufacturers not the middle men.