New National Centre

Introduction

The foundations for the development of a new national centre were laid in 2008 when SNBTS carried out a consultation exercise with staff, stakeholders and the public to address the changing environment in which the organisation operates and the increasing complexities of delivering healthcare.

The resulting consultation document, Meeting the Transfusion Needs of Patients in Scotland 2009-14, highlighted and sought comment on one of the key challenges identified during the nationwide exercise - the need to modernise SNBTS blood and tissue processing and testing facilities to match the ever more stringent regulatory standards demanded of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

After exploring various options (including the refurbishment of existing facilities), it was agreed that consolidating services in a new purpose-built national centre would be the best way of ensuring the safe future supply of blood, tissues and cells for patients in Scotland.

Following appraisal workshops and consultation with staff, the site chosen for the new national centre is at Heriot Watt Research Park close to Edinburgh.