A shortage of epidural infusion sets in the UK is expected to continue until at least March, the government medicines regulator has warned.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) told healthcare providers in a patient safety alert earlier this month that the shortage followed manufacturing issues related to epidural bags.
Replacement bags are being sent to hospitals for the pain relief medication given to women in labour, while the Royal College of Anaesthetists is working with the NHS to advise hospitals on how to manage the situation.
The BBC has learned that medical staff have expressed concern about the plans, although the NHS said women “should come forward for care as usual”.
It is understood the shortage arose after a major supplier stopped manufacturing epidural bags.
The MHRA alert on 2 December said there were a “range of alternative portfolios” available during the “affected period”, which would require a “trust-level approach to ensure safe implementation”.
Alternatives are sent to hospitals, but these hospitals contain higher drug doses and therefore need very careful management.
All credit institutions have been asked to create teams to ensure the safety of the mother and child.
But hospital staff, pharmacists and anesthesiologists – who administer epidurals to women in labor – have expressed concerns about the plans.
Birth Injury Society president Dr Kim Thomas said there had been “not enough communication” about how the teams were set up.
“Leaving the trusts to manage a situation like this is very unfair, because you will get different responses in different trusts,” she explained.
“It will mean extra stress and extra work for staff who are already overworked especially at this time of year.”
An NHS spokesperson said: “The safety of women in NHS maternity care remains a top priority.”
“There are a range of alternatives available and the trusts also share supplies with other nearby trusts where appropriate,” they added.
Additional reporting by Hafsa Khalil