Heraeus Medical, a German firm that supplies approximately 75% of the bone cement used by the NHS, was temporarily forced to halt production following a fault in a packaging machine at its main site.

Whilst bone cement production has since restarted, national guidance was issued by NHS England to alleviate concerns regarding procedures that require the cement at both waiting list and emergency level. At the time of that guidance, the NHS estimated that only around two weeks’ supply remained, creating a potential gap of six to eight weeks while Heraeus Medical addressed its supply issues.

Bone cement is a critical component in many hip and knee replacements, as well as certain revision and infection-management procedures. With Heraeus Medical indicating that supply limitations are expected to last for up to two months, the NHS’s immediate response was to prioritise urgent cases and patients in the greatest clinical need. However, further developments have since emerged, and NHS Supply Chain has confirmed that two clinically assured alternative products have now been secured in an effort to avoid disruption to both waiting list and emergency care provision to patients.

Short-Term Solutions

Without suitable alternative arrangements, the shortage would have inevitably raised difficult questions about delay and decision-making for patient care in upcoming weeks, particularly as the NHS remains responsible for the care delivered to patients and owes every patient a duty to exercise reasonable skill and care in the provision of treatment.

In addition to managing the remaining Heraeus Medical stock, the NHS has now sourced alternative bone cement from Zimmer Biomet and Johnson & Johnson. The products from the respective suppliers have been described as “clinically assured” and are intended to maintain continuity of care at both a waiting list and emergency level.

Sourcing alternative bone cement could materially reduce short-term risk for the NHS, but clinical negligence concerns may still arise if avoidable harm results from unreasonable delay or unjustified planning decisions, despite the NHS’s proactive response to the unexpected supply disruption.

Looking Ahead

For a patient, the experience of delay can be deeply distressing, particularly where pain and reduced mobility are already part of daily life and months of waiting for appropriate surgery have already been endured. When multiplying that experience across the tens of thousands of patients awaiting hip and knee replacements on NHS waiting lists alone, clear communication, appropriate monitoring and careful risk assessment remain imperative in ensuring that required standards of care continue to be met.

It is hoped that the securing of alternative bone cement should significantly reduce the possibility of what could have been widespread postponements, but what remains to be seen is how the NHS will manage distribution of the new bone cement stock to mitigate the possibility of avoidable harm to patients.

Where concerns arise that treatment has been unreasonably delayed or that harm has resulted from substandard management during this period, legal advice may be appropriate. Contact our team of specialist Medical Negligence Lawyers today to see how we can help.

Article written by Mason Hallam, Trainee Solicitor in our Medical Negligence team

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The review has identified “weaknesses in leadership, clinical governance, organisational culture and contract management over many years” leading to cancers being missed and many women receiving surgery more extensive than was medically necessary. This included the removal of lymph nodes and mastectomies.

The BBC have identified that nearly £6million has been paid out by the trust to clinics that were run privately by their own breast cancer surgeon.

Over 200 cases have been identified of patients who have suffered due to the trust’s treatment, leading to the medical records of 1,6000 patients being examined.

This follows a separate review that took place in July 2025 by the Royal College of Surgeons after concerns were raised.

The women that underwent treatment at County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust have told the BBC that they felt ‘butchered’ after the treatment they received, and that the unnecessary delays they experienced in both diagnosis and treatment lead to the experience feeling significantly more stressful and upsetting.

Alongside the failings in both diagnosis and treatment, many women have described their experience as having a lack of compassion, and that it took their dignity from them.

The trust’s board have put an ‘action plan’ in place in response to these reviews. They have confirmed that they will look at strengthening leadership and accountability. Trust Chief Executive Steve Russell has apologised to the affected patients, saying “you put your trust in us and in some cases that trust was not met. We didn’t offer the high quality care you needed and deserved.”

Our Medical Negligence team hear regularly from individuals and families who have been affected by sup-par cancer treatment.

Whilst we recognise the current pressures faced by NHS staff, the issues raised in these reviews can lead to avoidable harm, including:

•             Unnecessary or extensive surgery

•             Failure to perform timely procedures

•             Delay in treatment leading to permanent injury or even death.

We’re here to help

Contact us today for confidential advice if you have concerns about treatment you or a loved one received at The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (or elsewhere). Our team, are true specialist Medical Negligence Lawyers, dedicated to helping people in situations like this.

Article written by Medical Negligence Paralegals, Abi Scott & Eloise Locker.

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