Exclusive: NHS faces shortage of blood collection tubes amid ‘UK border challenges’

There is a global shortage of blood collection tubes used to test for a variety of issues including anaemia and blood clotting.

A key supplier of the tubes, BD Life Sciences, has apologised to NHS trusts for supply disruptions, according to a letter sent to them this week and seen by HSJ.

The tubes contain chemicals to prevent samples from clotting before getting to the lab. They have been used during the pandemic to test for clotting in covid patients who may have coagulopathy, a complication that affects the blood’s ability to clot.

BD said the supply issues stem from increased global demand, “on-going logistic challenges” including “UK border challenges” and problems obtaining raw materials and components “due to surge in demand, not just in healthcare”.

The specific products affected are BD’s SST II, EDTA and Sodium citrate blood collection tubes, and its Safety-Lok blood collection sets, which are blood collection systems designed to reduce the chance of needlestick injuries in clinicians.

“As everybody has been impacted to a varying extent, we fully understand if you need to select alternative suppliers to help ensure healthcare continuity,” BD told trusts.

“We remain committed to minimising the adverse impact to you, your staff, and the patients. We sincerely apologise for any disruption you have experienced and appreciate your continued partnership, understanding and support during this unprecedented time.”

One source involved in discussions told HSJ that supply from BD was likely to be around 80 per cent or less of its normal level, but trusts needed over and above their normal demand level due to the increased covid and non-covid, elective and emergency demand at present.

“Everyone works just in time so we are going to see shortages pretty quickly,” one source said. They added that alternative suppliers were smaller and would struggle to make up the difference. 

BD said in its letter to trusts it is “manufacturing around the clock” and “balancing the frequency of preventative maintenance” at its plants to “minimise plan shutdown to provide continuing supply of products”.

It is also expanding its manufacturing capacity for some product lines and trying to improve raw material supplies and logistic issues to “ensure minimal or no supply disruptions”.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Patient safety and continuity of care is our priority and we are working to ensure there is minimal possible impact on patient care.

“The health and care system is working closely with BD to put mitigations in place to resolve any problems if they arise.” 

HSJ has contacted BD and for comment.