NHS patients could be affected by disruption in the global supply chain of tubes used in blood tests as doctors have been told to limit the number of tests they can carry out, it has emerged.
New guidance from NHS England has been issued amid a global shortage of blood tube products, although the health service has insisted that all clinically necessary blood tests will go ahead.
Doctors have been told to only call for some tests under certain circumstances and patients with suspected allergies and vitamin D deficiencies could face delays to routine testing, as could people seeking fertility blood tests.
NHS Supply Chain, which is responsible for sourcing products, said late last month that it believed the supply issues would continue until September, when “some improvement” in the situation is expected.
Doctors will need to prioritise tests for cancer diagnoses, unwell babies and prenatal screening over other services while the supply chain issues are ongoing.
NHS guidance says GPs can “reduce non-essential (non-clinically urgent) testing”, which includes stopping vitamin D testing except in exceptional circumstances and deferring routine infertility testing unless the patient is over the age of 35.
It also says allergy testing is “not a priority at this time” unless there is clinical need, and that routine wellness screening is also “not a priority”.
The guidance comes after the medical technology company Becton Dickinson reported temporary supply chain issues for a number of tubes used to collect samples in blood tests.
A spokesperson for the company told The Telegraph on Tuesday that there had been “unprecedented demand” for blood collection tubes due to their use in testing Covid-19 patients and people involved in vaccine trials.
The tubes contain chemicals that prevent blood samples from clotting while they are being transported to laboratories.
In response to the reports, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care 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.”
Additional reporting by PA
