What is the Government’s response to the Philips continuous positive airway pressure/ventilator recall and what discussions have taken place about safety concerns since Philips announced the recall?
We have been working closely with the MHRA, UK Government and other NHS bodies across the UK on a weekly basis since the issue came to light in June. The MHRA issued a patient safety alert on 23 June for a number of ventilation devices manufactured by Philips:
The devices affected are primarily continuous positive airway pressure devices used in the community to treat sleep apnoea. We have been coordinating with health boards and patients are encouraged to talk to their clinical team before taking any action so that risk assessments can be carried out. The available evidence suggests that the risks to patients of ceasing to use these devices significantly outweigh the biological safety risks if patients do not have ready access to an alternative.
The NHS Shared Services Partnership is working with the UK Government to source alternative available devices from other suppliers. These supplies are limited but NHS Wales will be able to access any stock on a fair share basis. Health boards have been in touch with patients that are affected and have registered approximately 14,500 devices on their behalf with the manufacturer’s repair programme, which is expected to take around a year.