One of the largest healthcare manufacturers in the UK has warned that ongoing driver shortages will pose a threat to the UK’s healthcare supply chain.

Direct Healthcare Group (DHG) is a Wales-based medical devices manufacturer that supplies over 56,000 specialist mattresses each year to NHS Trusts and private facilities such as nursing homes across the UK. 

Graham Ewart, CEO of DHG, has highlighted the possible threats to the UK’s healthcare system if the current situation continues. 

Mr Ewart told a recent interview, “We need an urgent resolution to the haulage and freight issues occurring within the UK.

“At DHG, we manufacture over 56,000 bed mattresses per year for hospitals and care homes, products which are critical components to ensuring healthcare capacity needs are met and that patients receive the best care possible.

“Over the past month, we have seen a dramatic reduction in the speed and quantity of supplies coming through to our Caerphilly plant, combined with increased freight costs as driver shortages take effect.”

DHG’s projected forecasts have indicated that they will be unable to maintain their continuous supply of medical products during the demanding winter period to hospitals, care homes and other private facilities, if driver shortages continue.

Mr Ewart added, “In the UK, we pride ourselves on the fact that our health service provides care for all, however hospitals cannot function without their supply chains.

“I am very concerned that the catastrophic combination of the lorry driver shortage, the pandemic and Brexit is taking a severe toll on the whole healthcare system. If this level of disruption continues, and we are unable to maintain our continuous supply of beds, mattresses and apparatus, it’s not just our business, but ultimately the hospitals and therefore the patients who will suffer.”

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Carrie Plummer - Editor & Content Manager