NHS secures alternative medical cement supplies after surgery delay fears

The NHS has secured two alternative suppliers of medical cement, a move set to prevent delays for patients awaiting surgery. This crucial intervention follows global supply issues that impacted the health service's main provider of bone cement.

Bone cement is vital for anchoring artificial joints and filling the space between new implants and a patient's bone. Earlier this month, experts warned that a shortage could lead to significant postponements for hip and knee replacements and other pre-planned operations.

Officials had estimated a potential six to eight-week supply gap after Heraeus Medical, the NHS's primary German-based supplier, reported a packaging fault. The new agreements aim to avert this critical disruption.

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Source: The Independent, 25 February 2026