The chronic shortage of drivers is posing a threat to the 海角视频’s healthcare system warns leading medical devices manufacturer DHG.
The Caerphilly-based firm - which supplies over 56,000 specialist mattresses each year to NHS trusts and private facilities across the 海角视频 - has warned that if disruption continue, it will be unable to maintain a continuous supply of medical products to hospitals, care homes and private care facilities during the critical winter surge period.
Its chief executive Graham Ewart, said: “We need an urgent resolution to the haulage and freight issues occurring within the 海角视频.”
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“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.
“We have been lucky so far that as a 海角视频-based manufacturer, we have been able to quickly adapt internal processes and minimise impact, however, if these delays continue, they will undoubtedly begin to affect the provision of our services.”
He said that hospitals cannot function without their supply chains.
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The chief executive of one of the 海角视频’s fastest growing private firms added: “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.
“As we come through this latest phase of the pandemic, and now with real concerns over a new winter surge, we need confidence that our economy, and ultimately, our healthcare system, can stay afloat.”
DHG employs over 600 people and has a direct presence in five European countries, with its products distributed in a further 35 international markets.