Government warns about Hearing aid batteries that can set fire

Device details

Only batteries with best before dates of ’08-2018’ and ‘09-2018’ are affected.

If you purchased these batteries from NHS Supply Chain, their codes (NPC) are given below:

Since 13 January 2016, NHS Supply Chain has received new supplies of batteries, which do not exhibit this problem.

Problem / background

The problem is caused by excessive gassing, as the zinc electrode reacts with the electrolyte to generate hydrogen. The battery may expand and possibly explode on rare occasions. This issue affects all types of ZeniPower mercury-free batteries listed above.

Manufacturer contacts

Manufacturer:

Tel: +86 756 252 6620

Email: [email protected]

Distribution

If you are responsible for cascading these alerts in your organisation, these are our suggested distribution lists.

Trusts (NHS boards in Scotland)

CAS and SABS (NI) liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:

• Audiology departments
• Cochlear implant centres
• ENT departments
• ENT medical staff
• ENT services, directors of
• Risk managers

NHS England area teams

CAS liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:

• Community pharmacists
• General practitioners
• General practice managers
• General practice nurses

Independent distribution

Establishments registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (England only)

• Adult placement
• Care homes providing nursing care (adults)
• Care homes providing personal care (adults)
• Clinics
• Domiciliary care providers
• Further education colleges registered as care homes
• Hospices
• Hospitals in the independent sector
• Independent treatment centres
• Nursing agencies
• Private medical practitioners

Establishments registered with OFSTED

• Children’s services
• Educational establishments with beds for children
• Residential special schools

Please note: CQC and OFSTED do not distribute these alerts. Independent healthcare providers and social care providers can sign up to receive MDAs directly from the Department of Health’s Central Alerting System (CAS) by sending an email to: [email protected] and requesting this facility.

Enquiries

England

Send enquiries about this notice to MHRA, quoting reference number MDA/2016/003 or 2015/012/010/401/016.

Technical aspects

Tel: 020 3080 7238 or 7205

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Clinical aspects

Telephone: 020 3080 7128

Email: [email protected]

Reporting adverse incidents in England

Through Yellow Card

Northern Ireland

Alerts in Northern Ireland are distributed via the NI SABS system.

Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Northern Ireland should be addressed to:

Telephone: 028 9052 3868

Fax: 028 9052 3900

Email: [email protected]

Northern Ireland Adverse Incident Centre (NIAIC)

Reporting adverse incidents in Northern Ireland

Please report directly to NIAIC using the forms on our website.

Scotland

Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Scotland should be addressed to:

Telephone: 0131 275 7575

Fax: 0131 314 0722

Email: [email protected]

Reporting adverse incidents in Scotland

NHS Boards and Local Authorities in Scotland – report to Health Facilities Scotland.

Contractors such as private hospitals carrying out NHS work and private care homes that accept social work funded clients – report to Health Facilities Scotland.

Private facilities providing care to private clients report to the Care Inspectorate and MHRA.

Wales

Enquiries in Wales should be addressed to:

Telephone: 02920 823 624/02920 825 510

Email: [email protected]

Reporting adverse incidents in Wales

Report to MHRA through Yellow Card and follow specific advice for reporting in Wales in MDA/2004/054 (Wales).