Question in the title... Does anyone else get their red cells from a supplier that is non-commercial? A couple of years ago I priced the cost of reagents and made savings in the region of thousands by switching from our commercial supplier (Diamed) to a Blood Centre that produced their own cells. We now get screening cells, panel cells, reverse grouping cells, controls and QA material from an NHS Blood Centre in England.

I feel this works doubley well (is that even a word?) as it reduced our cost dramatically but is also an income for the cash-strapped NHS...

Well, I do, but then I work for the NHSBT as a Reference Service Manager!

Well, I do, but then I work for the NHSBT as a Reference Service Manager!

Do you sell outside of your trust? I should imagine it's a nice little money spinner...

WEll yes, because that is what you are using. I'm part of the NHSBT, and it is NHSBT-Reagents that sell you your reagents!

WEll yes, because that is what you are using. I'm part of the NHSBT, and it is NHSBT-Reagents that sell you your reagents!

And there was me thinking Liverpool were special!

Never let it be said that I don't respect Liverpudlians (especially as at least two members of PLT are members of staff at NHSBT-Speke), but, of course, London is better!!!!!!!!!!!!