Some pregnant women denied usual choice as supplies of epidural kits and alternative drug both run low
has been hit by a shortage of epidural kits to give mothers-to-be, a key form of pain relief during childbirth, as well as the drug that women are offered as an alternative.
The disruption to supplies of epidural kits is so acute that NHS Supply Chain , the health service body that ensures hospitals in England and Wales receive regular supplies of drugs and equipment, to ration deliveries to just one week’s worth of stock. “We don’t yet fully understand the impact this shortage is having but we have heard of long waiting times to receive pain relief and epidurals.”
The shortage of epidural kits began several months ago but has come to light as a result of anaesthetists alerting the Guardian to the problems it is causing. “However, due to the nationwide shortage we’re having to ration it and reserve it exclusively for patients who cannot have an epidural [for medical reasons]. We’re being told to safeguard stocks for patients with allergies or a clinical need for it rather than [giving it upon] a maternal request.”
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