Supply Issues Medline Sterile Surgical Gowns and Drapes (ICN 3223)

• We remain in regular discussions with Medline and alternative suppliers about their stock availability, with a focus on bringing the maximum number of products back into stock as quickly as possible.
• The product listing has been updated and provides guidance on lines with good availability, as well as how to identify suitable alternatives that can support supply temporarily.
• We continue to ask partners to order from the Available Stock tab on the product listing where possible and consider the guidance provided.
• Some codes have now fully recovered, and further improvements are expected as inbound stock builds. Some items will remain subject to Protect Demand Management while we rebuild resilience levels.
• Please be advised that to maintain continuity of supply for trusts, we have identified a further 49 indirect alternatives.
• See our Downloads▼ section to view the additional Drape Alternatives tab on the product listing for further information.
• Since the last update 59 products have now been removed from Protect Demand Management and are now available to order without restrictions.
• 46 products remain suspended.
• 22 products remain intermittent supply.
• 78 products remain subject to Protect Demand Management.
• We will continue to review all suspended lines regularly with Medline. As soon as stock becomes available, we will lift suspensions and update this ICN.
• See our Downloads▼ section for the product listing showing all product codes subject to Protect Demand Management, along with guidance on alternative options.
• The supply issue is still anticipated to be resolved by 15 May 2026.

• We remain in regular discussions with Medline and alternative suppliers about their stock availability, with a focus on bringing the maximum number of products back into stock as quickly as possible.
• The product listing has been updated and provides guidance on lines with good availability, as well as how to identify suitable alternatives that can support supply temporarily.
• We continue to ask partners to order from the available stock listing where possible and consider the guidance provided.
• Some codes have now fully recovered, and further improvements are expected as inbound stock builds. Some items will remain subject to Protect Demand Management while we rebuild resilience levels.
• The product listing has been updated to reflect all changes outlined below.
• Since the last update nine products have been removed from the Impacted Codes tab and are now available to order through our online catalogue:
  • VEB85218, VJD3659, VJD3660, VJD3663, VJD3664, VJD3665, VJD3667, VEB85206 and VEB85193.
• The following two codes are subject to Protect Demand Management, they were not previously included in the ICN, these have now been added to the product listing:
  • BWK85087 and VEB85193.
• Five products have been removed from suspension and are now subject to Protect Demand Management:
  • BWK85171, BWK85204, VJD3654, VJD3661 and BWK85155.
• 46 products are suspended.
• 22 products are subject to intermittent supply.
• 137 products are subject to Demand Management.
• We will continue to review all suspended lines regularly with Medline. As soon as stock becomes available, we will lift suspensions and update this ICN.
• See our Downloads▼ section for the product listing showing all product codes subject to Protect Demand Management, along with guidance on alternative options.
• The supply issue is still anticipated to be resolved by 15 May 2026.

• We remain in regular discussions with Medline and alternative suppliers about their stock availability with a view to bringing the maximum number of products into stock as quickly as possible.
• The product listing has been updated and provides guidance on our inventory with good stock availability and how to identify alternatives that can support supply issues temporarily.
• We continue to ask our partners to order from the available stock listing where possible and consider the guidance provided.
• Please note that some of our available gown’s lines will soon be depleted and will soon move to our eDirect route based on demand:
  • BWK85108 and BWK85596.
• This is part of our strategy to support the temporary period of disruption and other codes remain available.
• Please review the available product listing once these routes switch and choose the best alternatives.
• In the meantime, please order as normal until the channel switch occurs.
• Since the last update a further 19 products have been removed from demand management:
  • ELW872, VEB117, VEB677, VJD1378, VJD241, VJD2422, VJD2999, VJD3004, VJD3094, VJD3097, VJD327, VJD3484, VJD3491, VJD3611, VJD3612, VJD3671, VJD3763, VJD4230 and VJD4232.
• A further three affected products are now suspended until April 2026:
  • BWK85168, BWK85171 and VEB518.
• Two additional products have been created to support the disruption and are listed on the Available Stock tab of the product listing:
  • BWO85101 and VEB85313.
• Five products on the Demand Management tab are now available while stocks last:
  • BWK85223, BWK85234, BWK85238, BWK85620 and BWK85614.
• One product which was subject to demand management has now been delisted:
  • BWK1664.
• We have also added the status (suspended or available) to impacted lines on the product listing to give customers better visibility on what is available to purchase and those that are suspended.
• 54 products are suspended.
• 23 products are subject to intermittent supply.
• 135 products remain subject to Demand Management.
• We will continue to review all suspended lines regularly with Medline. As soon as stock becomes available, we will lift suspensions and update this ICN.
• See our Downloads▼ section for the product listing showing a list of product codes subject to Protect Demand Management, along with guidance on the options for alternatives.
• The supply issue is anticipated to be resolved by Friday 15 May 2026.

Next steps:

• Follow the advice and guidance in the product listing on choosing alternative products.
• Continue to order to your required product levels.
• Complete a demand capture form if a product you require is Protect Demand Managed and you have never ordered it before.
• Escalation forms need to be completed where you require either additional one-off product or need a review of your daily threshold allocation.
• See our Downloads▼ section to obtain a demand capture or escalation form.
• Completed forms should be sent to the Customer Service Admin Support Team by emailing coreadminsupport@supplychain.nhs.ukwho will then provide you information on any changes to your daily allocation as a result, stock levels permitting.
• If you have not already done so, review and follow the steps outlined in the Field Safety Notice (ICN 3221).
• If you have any further questions, please contact your local NHS Supply Chain Customer Services Advisor.
• Check this ICN regularly for future updates.

• We remain in regular discussions with Medline and alternative suppliers about their stock availability with a view to bringing the maximum number of products into stock as quickly as possible.
• The product listing has been updated and provides guidance on our inventory with good stock availability and how to identify alternatives that can support supply issues temporarily.
• We continue to ask our partners to order from the available stock listing where possible and consider the guidance provided.
• Since the last update a further 11 products have been suspended:
  • BWK85156, BWK85179, BWK85183, BWK85207, VJF119, VJD3965, VJD3955, VJD3963, VJF132, VEB1095 and VEB85193.
• We have mapped suitable alternatives for a further number of drape codes, increasing the number of items with confirmed alternatives from 10 to 25. These alternatives have been checked with the supplier and have good availability.
• Work continues on mapping alternatives for 19 remaining drape codes. We are currently awaiting confirmation of inbound stock from the suppliers for potential indirect alternatives and will update this ICN and all systems as soon as this is received.
• Due to positive inventory levels nationally, we have removed demand management on suitable alternatives from our existing inventory position (25 SKUs).
• This is specifically on standard gowns (sizes XL and LL), zonal impervious (sizes XL, XLL, S/M), Zonal Reinforced (Size L) and Fully Impervious (all sizes).  These are alternatives and we strongly encourage that impacted customers order from these SKUs to obtain additional inventory. We have marked the ones removed from demand management on the available SKUs tab.
• Products subject to Protect Demand Management have reduced from 226 to 155 codes, as Medline has confirmed it can support ‘Business as Usual’ demand for the items removed from demand management.
• We have updated the Available Stock tab on the product listing for gowns and identified 50 additional SKUs with strong availability. We encourage trusts to review the guidance and taxonomy information provided to help identify suitable alternatives where needed.
• Suspension has increased from 23 to 51 codes. These are a combination of stocked and eDirect codes that are impacted by the FSN:
  • 40 codes were already detailed in the ICN and will be suspended until April 2026:
    • VJF055, ELW816, ELW818, ELW821, ELW827, VJF038, VJF042, VJD2968, VJD2444, ELW834, VEB418, VEB461, VJD2994, VJD2415, VJD2437, VJD2368, VJD3654, VJD3655, VJD3656, VJD3657, VJD3658, VJD3661, VJD3666, VJD3969, BWK85155, BWK85157, BWK85158, BWK85167, BWK85170, BWK85175, BWK85176, BWK85185, BWK85197, BWK85198, BWK85199, BWK85204, BWK85215, VEB85087, VEB85206, and VEB85209.
  • 11 codes are Medline eDirect codes and will be suspended until April 2026:
    • BWK85156, BWK85179, BWK85183, BWK85207, VJF119, VJD3965, VJD3955, VJD3963, VJF132, VEB1095 and VEB85193.
• We will continue to review all suspended lines regularly with Medline. As soon as stock becomes available, we will lift suspensions and update this ICN.
• See our Downloads ▼ section for the product listing showing a list of product codes subject to Protect Demand Management, along with guidance on the options for alternatives.
• The supply issue is anticipated to be resolved by Friday 15 May 2026.

Next steps:

• Follow the advice and guidance in the product listing on choosing alternative products.
• Continue to order to your required product levels.
• Complete a demand capture form if a product you require is Protect Demand Managed and you have never ordered it before.
• Escalation forms need to be completed where you require either additional one-off product or need a review of your daily threshold allocation.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to obtain a demand capture or escalation form.
• Completed forms should be sent to the Customer Service Admin Support Team by emailing coreadminsupport@supplychain.nhs.uk who will then provide you information on any changes to your daily allocation as a result, stock levels permitting.
• If you have not already done so, review and follow the steps outlined in the Field Safety Notice (ICN 3221).
• If you have any further questions, please contact your local NHS Supply Chain Customer Services Advisor.
• Check this ICN regularly for future updates.

Please note that due to the clinical nature of these alternative products, we advise you to consult your own clinical experts to ensure suitability for your organisations use of these products.

• We remain in regular discussions with Medline and alternative suppliers about their stock availability with a view to bringing the maximum number of products into stock as quickly as possible.
• The product listing has been updated and provides guidance on our inventory with good stock availability and how to identify alternatives that can support supply issues temporarily.
• The product listing will be regularly updated as stock levels will be fluid over the next few weeks.
• Our catalogue has been updated to reflect the available alternatives.
• 23 products are now suspended and unavailable to order:
  • VJF038, VJD2968, VJD2415, VJD2437, VJD2368, VJD3654, VJD3655, VJD3656, VJD3661, ELW818, VJD2444, BWK85155, BWK85157, BWK85176, BWK85197, BWK85204, BWK85208, BWK85158, BWK85170, ELW816, VEB418, VJF042 and VJF055.
• 226 codes are now on Protect Demand Management to support continuity for all customers.
• These products are available to order through NHS Supply Chain. However, trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS. If you are unsure of your daily threshold level, please contact your Customer Services Advisor.
• See our Downloads ▼ section for a full list of product codes subject to Protect Demand Management, along with guidance on the options for alternatives.
• The supply issue is anticipated to be resolved by Friday 15 May 2026.

Next steps:

• Follow the advice and guidance in the product listing on choosing alternative products.
• Continue to order to your required product levels.
• Complete a demand capture form if a product you require is Protect Demand Managed and you have never ordered it before.
• Escalation forms need to be completed where you require either additional one-off product or need a review of your daily threshold allocation.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to obtain a demand capture or escalation form.
• Completed forms should be sent to the Customer Service Admin Support Team by emailing coreadminsupport@supplychain.nhs.uk who will then provide you information on any changes to your daily allocation as a result, stock levels permitting.
• If you have not already done so, review and follow the steps outlined in the Field Safety Notice (ICN 3221).
• If you have any further questions, please contact your local NHS Supply Chain Customer Services Advisor.
• Check this ICN regularly for future updates.

Please note that due to the clinical nature of these alternative products, we advise you to consult your own clinical experts to ensure suitability for your organisations use of these products.

Change:

• There are 66 Medline product codes affected.
• The supply issue is due to supplier manufacturing issues.
• Due to temporary supply issues affecting Medline Industries Limited, we have applied demand management to the entire Medline Industries Limited portfolio, alongside Molnlycke Healthcare Limited and Mediq Healthcare UK Limited, to protect national stock levels.
• If there are any issues with demand allocation or an urgent order is needed, then please contact your NHS Supply Chain Customer Services team.

Impact:          

• There are potential indirect alternatives for some of the products. These are available to order through our online catalogue.
• 14 products are suspended and unavailable to order.
• Protect Demand Management has been applied to 206 codes from all the suppliers in this product category.
• These are available to order through NHS Supply Chain. However, trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• See our Downloads ▼ section for a full list of product codes subject to Protect Demand Management.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• The supply issue is anticipated to be resolved by 15 May 2026.

Next Steps:              

• Customers are advised to log into our website to view:
  • the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
  • product codes currently subject to Protect Demand Management.
• The continuing supply issue is being monitored in conjunction with the supplier. We will update this ICN with the latest information and stock position as it becomes available.
• However, as this is currently a disrupted market and supply is subject to rapid change, the alternatives offered may also experience temporary supply issues and therefore, customers may need to consider clinically reviewing all additional alternatives provided.
• Continue to order to your required product levels. If you need any additional products, please complete a demand capture form by contacting your Customer Services Advisor.
• Review and follow the steps outlined in the Field Safety Notice (ICN 3221).
• If you have any further questions, please contact your local NHS Supply Chain Customer Services Advisor.

Please note that due to the clinical nature of these alternative products, we advise you to consult your own clinical experts to ensure suitability for your organisations use of these products.