Fears have been voiced that Coronavirus could disrupt the supply chain of medical equipment to the NHS in Scotland. An email marked 'high' importance was sent by NHS National Services Scotland, which deals with procurement, asking suppliers to provide information if they are experiencing or are expecting any issues, The Scotsman reported.
The email is understood to have been sent to all suppliers which have been awarded onto any National Procurement Frameworks, requesting they forward any supporting documentation in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak 'as soon as possible' and by March 6 at the latest.
But the Scottish Government has said it is working with the NHS to ensure the supply chain continues.
A supplier source, speaking to the Scotsman on condition of anonymity, said: "It doesn't reassure me as it's a bit too late.
"If medical supplies are coming from China, then they would have left for the UK ages ago."
The supplies which could be affected included disposable kidney dishes and swabs, and operating theatre tables, it was reported.
NHS National Services says on its website that it manages more than £1.4 billion in national contracts and delivers over 80,000 items to hospital wards, departments and community centres from their Lanarkshire distribution point.
The source said: "Rightly or wrongly everyone's holding a bit more stock in the UK because of the fears we have had over Brexit and it just feels a bit piecemeal for the NHS in Scotland to be thinking about this now.
"They're asking all their NHS contracted suppliers to confirm where the products that they supply are being made and manufactured.
"Whether or not they're looking to make sure the continuity of supply isn't going to be disrupted in case there's any issues i
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