Supply Issues Multiple Suppliers Swabs, Cotton Wool and Bandages (ICN 3307)

• The supply issue with swabs, cotton wool and bandages from multiple suppliers is continuing.
• The General Wound Care 2026 Framework is now live.
• Information to support customers with the transition from the previous framework, including Cotton Wool and Plaster products can be found in the Contract Information page, Contract Launch Page.
• See our Useful Links section to view the General Wound Care, Contract Information Page.
• Due to this ongoing supply issue some products are currently subject to Protect Demand Management.
• Customers should continue to follow existing demand management arrangements for affected products.
• The products subject to Protect 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.
• All available whilst stock last products continue to be subject to Protect Demand Management to support the controlled depletion of remaining stock.
• Customers should refer to the affected product listing and Demand Managed Product Matrix for further details.
• Five products are currently suspended and unavailable to order, this will continue to be monitored and detailed upon all further updates:
  • EGP85020, EGT002, EGT547, EIJ389, EMI447.
• Five products remain affected in total.
• See our Downloads ▼ section for Information relating to delisted cotton wool and plaster products, a full list of product codes subject to Protect Demand Management.
• Customers are advised to review the online catalogue for suitable alternative products where required.
• We will continue to provide regular updates for this ICN as soon as we have further information regarding products currently subject to demand management or supply disruption.
• Any significant supply issue requiring further customer action will be communicated via a separate Important Customer Notice.
• We do not currently have a confirmed resolution date, but we are anticipating this issue will be resolved by 31 August 2026.

• The supply issue with swabs, cotton wool and bandages from multiple suppliers is continuing.
• Three product codes are now available to order:
  • EGT537 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll
  • EGT535 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll Size 1 – fingers and toes
  • EMQ102 – Swab gauze x-ray detectable stitched and taped tied 5s BP non sterile 45cm x 45cm 12ply.
• 11 product codes are now available while our remaining stocks last. Once the remaining stock has depleted, they will be delisted from our online catalogue:
  • EIA091, EIA100, EIA099, EIA098, EIA096, EIA095, EIA094, EIA090, EIA092, EIA089, and ENP034.
• Three further product codes are available while stocks last, they will then be delisted from our online catalogue:
  • EGP054 – Bandage tubular elasticated viscose 5m roll 7.5cm – blue line
  • ENU024 – Balls cotton wool absorbent non sterile Small minimum of 0.35gm
  • ENU033 – Balls cotton wool absorbent BP sterile 40 packs of 5 large balls 0.8gm.
• One additional product code is currently suspended, but once delivery has been received, the product will be available while the remaining stocks last:
  • ENU031 – Balls cotton wool absorbent non sterile Large minimum of 0.80gm.
• For the available while stocks last products, all the alternatives are also available while stocks last. Customers are advised to view the online catalogue for products they deem suitable.
• Five affected product codes remain suspended and unavailable to order:
  • EGP088 – Bandage tubular elasticated viscose 3m roll
  • EGP082 – Bandage elasticated viscose 5m roll
  • EGP85020 – Bandage tubular elasticated viscose 5m roll
  • EGT002 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll
  • EIJ389 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll.
• Three additional products are now suspended and unavailable to order:
  • EDB118 – Bandage conforming type 1 dressing retention 15cm x 4m knitted
  • ENI186 – Swab gauze 13 light BP non sterile 10cm x 10cm 12ply BLUE
  • ENI243 – Swab gauze type 13 light BP non sterile 5cm x 5cm 12ply.
• 12 products are now affected in total.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• We will update this ICN as soon as we have further information.
• We do not currently have a resolution date, but we aim to update this ICN by 31 July 2026.

• The supply issue with swabs, cotton wool and bandages from multiple suppliers is continuing.
• 7 products are now available to order.
  • EGJ237, ENI183, ENI256, ENK165, ENI185, ENI189 and ENU038.
• 2 products remain suspended and unavailable to order:
  • EGP088 and EMQ102.
• 10 additional products are now suspended and unavailable to order:
  • EGP082 – Bandage elasticated viscose 5m roll
  • EGP85020 – Bandage tubular elasticated viscose 5m roll
  • EGT002 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll
  • EGT535 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll
  • EGT537 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll
  • EIJ389 – Bandage elastic net retention 25m roll
  • EKJ004 – Bandage non medicated non adherent complete with tubular bandage
  • EKJ005 – Bandage non medicated non adherent complete with tubular bandage
  • EKJ006 – Bandage non medicated non adherent complete with tubular bandage
  • EKJ007 – Bandage non medicated non adherent complete with tubular bandage.
• 11 additional products are now subject to Protect Demand Management:
  • ENP034, EIA095, EIA096, EIA090, EIA099, EIA092, EIA091 EIA094, EIA089, EIA098, and EIA100.
• The products subject to Protect 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.
• There are alternative products available to order through our online catalogue for some of the affected products. However, some of these products may also become subject to intermittent supply with the increase in demand.
• 23 products are now affected in total.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• We will update this ICN as soon as we have further information.
• We do not currently have a resolution date but aim to update the ICN by 31 July 2026.

• The supply issue with swabs, cotton wool and bandages from multiple suppliers is continuing.
• Two further products are now suspended and unavailable to order:
  • EGP088 – Bandage tubular elasticated viscose 3m roll
  • ENI185 – Swab gauze type 13 light BP non-sterile.
• Four affected products remain suspended and unavailable to order:
  • EGJ237 – Bandage tubular elasticated viscose 10m roll
  • EMQ102 – Swab gauze x-ray detectable stitched and taped tied non-sterile
  • ENI183 – Swab gauze type 13 light BP non-sterile
  • ENU038 – Balls non-woven.
• Three affected products are now subject to intermittent supply:
  • EMI189 – Swab gauze x-ray detectable tied 5s BP sterile
  • ENI256 – Swab gauze x-ray detectable tied 5s BP sterile
  • ENK165 – Medical non-woven swab sterile.
• Nine products are now affected in total.
• There are potential indirect alternatives for some of the products. These products are available to order through our online catalogue.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• The supply issue is now anticipated to be resolved by 31 July 2026.

Change:

• Multiple suppliers have informed us of supply issues across the General Wound Care framework currently affecting swabs, cotton wool and bandages.
• Seven product codes are now suspended and unavailable to order:
  • EGJ237 – Bandage tubular elasticated viscose 10m roll
  • EMI189 – Swab gauze x-ray detectable tied 5s BP sterile
  • EMQ102 – Swab gauze x-ray detectable stitched and taped tied 5s BP non-sterile
  • ENI183 – Swab gauze type 13 light BP non-sterile
  • ENI256 – Swab gauze x-ray detectable tied 5s BP sterile
  • ENK165 – Medical non-woven swab sterile
  • ENU038 – Balls non-woven.
• The supply issues are due to a combination of increased demand, extended lead times and delayed shipping.
• Over the next couple of months, it is likely some stocked products on the General Wound Care framework coming in and out of stock until the new framework goes live.

Impact:          

• Seven affected product codes are currently suspended and unavailable to order.
• Our Category team is closely monitoring the situation and are meeting regularly with affected suppliers to understand the latest supply position.
• Customers are encouraged to order as normal and review the product listing for potential alternatives should the need arise.
• There are potential indirect alternatives for some of the products. These products are available to order through our online catalogue.
• However, some of these products may also be subject to intermittent supply.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• To support customers during these short-term disruptions this ICN will be updated every two weeks.
• The supply issue is anticipated to be resolved by 24 June 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.
• 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.