22 March 2022: Presentation (Production in Scotland/Northern Ireland) - E

There were two Dr McDonalds, one a clinician in Glasgow, one a representative of the SHHD. The Glasgow one proposed the first estimate of blood product need, but it is unsure how that figure was arrived at, and it turned out to be far from the actual need. One clinician described how peer's estimate as "nonsense". I wonder what other areas of practice the clinicians express such stark assessments of each others' workings?

Tensions between England and Scotland were exacerbated by union resistance to new shift working which wouldn't attract new pay arrangements for unsociable hours. So, whether it involved national developments or local worker negotiations, money was so often the driving force. No doubt it is probably more the case these days.

The capacity of the production facilities was a moving feast. Among the factors at play was uncertainty in the estimated need, empire building by facility heads, the staffing issues, and even the availability and maintenance of fractionation equipment. With so many variables, how could people possibly focus on the needs of actual patients? Such apparently insurmountable issues provide a breeding ground for those interested in options to privatise the NHS.

Some of the resistance to the UK relying more on the Edinburgh facility smacks of anti-Scottish rhetoric. There was certainly frustration about the Scots not seeming able to manage the local unions. It also seems that certain folks in England had designs on the monies committed to develop the Edinburgh PFC.

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