Product Update GBUK Healthcare Open Suction Catheter Stockpile (ICN 2906)

• Following customer feedback, the direct substitution link for Open Suction Catheters has been reversed. GBUK products will not be auto substituted.
• This decision has been taken whilst we seek further clinical assurance and guidance and engage further with customers and agree a future approach.
• All auto substitutions for these products have been stopped.
• Following the meeting with the Clinical Procurement Specialist Network on Monday 12 May 2025, we have updated the product comparison matrix.
• We are working with customers to seek their feedback and preference on all Open Suction Catheters.
• The supplier GBUK has informed us that they have an ongoing supply issue with three of their Open Suction Catheters.
• Two products are currently suspended and unavailable to order:
  • FSQ568 – Catheter suction two small relieving eyes cm graduated clear vacuum control pvc 6fg 50cm paediatric
  • FSQ580 – Catheter suction two small relieving eyes cm graduated clear vacuum control pvc 10fg x 60 cm adult.
• One product is subject to intermittent supply:
  • FSQ575 – Catheter suction two small relieving eyes oblique tip cm graduated clear vacuum control pvc 10fg 50cm adult.
• Direct and indirect alternative products are available to order through our online catalogue for the affected products.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• We will continue to review the stock to minimise further disruption and will update this ICN as soon as we have further information.

Change:

• The supplier GBUK Healthcare has informed us of a product update with its Open Suction Catheter products.
• There are 12 product codes affected.
• The product update is due to NHS Supply Chain needing to push through a stockpile of Open Suction Catheters that were purchased to support GBUK’s supply issues over a period from 2023 to 2024.

Impact:

• The impact to customers will be that they will see GenX or Pennine Healthcare products coming through instead of GBUK for a short period of time until the stockpile is reduced.
• This is to stop the stock that is perfectly useable being written off and disposed of.
• There are no clinical differences with the alternative products.
• There is no cost impact with the alternative products.
• Potential direct and indirect alternative products are available to order through our online catalogue:
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing and product matrix for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.

Next Steps:

• Customers are advised to log in to the website to access the product listing.
• If you have any further questions, please contact your local NHS Supply Chain Customer Services Advisor.