NHS Supply Chain outlines response to Middle East disruption

Last Updated on 08/04/2026 by Sarah Sarsby

NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) has issued an update on the potential impact of ongoing geopolitical disruption in the Middle East, saying it is taking proactive steps to protect product availability and maintain continuity of supply.

NHSSC said the situation has increased the risk of disruption for suppliers with facilities or commodity dependencies in the region. It also noted an ongoing cost risk linked to core commodity pricing, as well as knock-on effects for other components and materials.

The organisation said a coordinated, intelligence-led response has been underway across its supply chain, resilience, and category teams. This has included a focused review of suppliers with upstream facilities in the Middle East, with identified suppliers contacted directly for assurances on continuity plans, logistics routes, and any emerging constraints.

NHSSC also said it has used risk analytics data to identify suppliers with elevated cyber-risk profiles. These suppliers have been contacted to confirm the cyber protection measures they have in place and to provide reassurance that there is no onward threat to NHS systems or supply continuity.

In addition, teams are carrying out continuous horizon scanning to identify early indicators of disruption, including transport route instability and cyber threat activity, with insights shared across operational teams to support rapid decision-making and prioritisation. Commodity-level forecasting is also being used to identify products of concern and anticipate potential shortages; where appropriate, stockholding has been increased to build resilience and maintain continuity of supply.

BHTA resources for members on Middle East disruption

For BHTA members, the position remains one of close monitoring rather than immediate widespread disruption. The BHTA has produced a member-only update on UK business supply chain disruption in the Middle East, which members can access for further context on current developments.

The BHTA has also published member-only fuel resilience and continuity planning guidance, signposting practical considerations for businesses reviewing their resilience planning.

The BHTA will continue to monitor developments relevant to the healthcare and assistive technology sector and share further updates where useful.