‘Difficult discussions’ as NHS faces shortage of childbirth pain relief

Some pregnant women denied usual choice as supplies of epidural kits and alternative drug both run low

• From PPE to cancer drugs: what has the NHS run low on in recent years?

The NHS has been hit by a shortage of epidural kits to give mothers-to-be, a key form of pain relief during childbirth, as well as the drug that women are offered as an alternative.

Supplies of epidural kits and the painkiller Remifentanil are now under such pressure that some hospitals cannot offer pregnant women their usual right to choose which one they want to reduce labour pains.

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from Pregnancy | The Guardian https://ift.tt/1YmSKcQ