The UK’S National Health Service has temporarily stopped some blood testing for certain conditions due to supply chain issues for collection tubes

NHS England has issued advice urging doctors to delay regular blood tests of patients if clinically safe.

The decision came after Becton Dickinson (BD), which makes vials for the NHS, warned of serious supply chain issues across the United Kindom.

BD stated that it had saw unprecedented demand for products driven by the need for tubes to test COVID patients.

The medical supply company, manufactures its tubes in the United States, said routine testing for procedures which were delayed due to the pandemic had also increased demand.

Due to the shortages, the NHS England has temporarily stopped some fertility testing, screening for pre-diabetes, allergies and certain blood disorders

In the statement, NHS England confirmed there continues to be “global shortages of blood tube products”, not just with BD.

However, Doctors across the United Kingdom are becoming increasingly concerned that a shortage of blood tube products will add to existing backlogs for blood tests.