Doctors are still being asked to gatekeep hospital IV fluids, as it emerges that the additional supplies secured by the Federal Government may be less than publicised.

Last month, Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler announced the government had secured an additional 22 million bags of IV fluids for the next six months, amid a global shortage.

But on Sunday he seemed to confirm that these 22 million bags included 19 million bags that would usually be ordered for six months anyway, leaving an upshot of just three million bags.

When these figures were put to Mr Butler, he said there would still be “millions more than we need”.