Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact the Heraeus bone cement supply delays will have on the elective waiting time targets.

It is the responsibility of National Health Service systems to manage the bone cement supply delays in their local context. NHS England has been working closely with systems to manage the temporary supply disruption affecting certain Heraeus bone cement products. A letter was issued to systems in February 2026 and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/heraeus-medical-bone-cement-products/

NHS trusts have reviewed and clinically prioritised their orthopaedic waiting lists to ensure available stock is safely and appropriately used, taking into account patient need, staff familiarity with alternative products, and local supply constraints. Where delays to planned joint procedures are unavoidable, trusts are expected to maintain transparent and timely communication with affected patients, so they remain fully informed about changes to their care treatment pathway.

NHS England has advised trusts to make best use of any freed-up clinical capacity, including focussing on new outpatient activity, and strengthening clinical triage for patients waiting more than 18 weeks. These steps are intended to reduce the risk of knock-on effects for elective waiting time performance. Every effort is being made to sustain progress on Referral to Treatment performance while this temporary supply issue is resolved.