A search is underway to find the new head of research, development and innovation for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), the specialist provider of blood, tissues and cells products and services.

The service sits within National Services Scotland (NSS), a national health board ‘at the heart of the NHS’ that offers specialist advice and assistance to the health service across a range of legal and clinical areas.

As a director of NSS, the postholder will also contribute to the strategic direction and management of the organisation.

A former director of the transfusion service, Mary Morgan who is now Chief Executive of NSS, said the role is “challenging but highly rewarding”.

“The successful candidate will require outstanding strategic, leadership and influencing skills which will enable them to influence and contribute to the development of policy and strategy for blood transfusion, tissues and cells, for both Scotland and the UK.

“Ensuring a sustainable, safe supply of blood components, tissues and cells is vital for patients in Scotland and we’d love to speak with inspirational leaders with the drive, understanding, vision and experience to provide clear and dynamic leadership for this high profile service.”

The current director, Craig Spalding, leaves in the new year to take over as CEO of the blindness and sight loss charities Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans. He took up the SNTBS role in June 2019 after experience within blood services in Australia and Ireland.

Serving a total of 27 hospitals over Scotland, the SNBTS plays an active and crucial role in the delivery of effective healthcare to patients. It has also played a central role in the introduction of new T cell gene editing treatments for blood cancers for Scottish patients.

In its pursuit of improving service provision, the service has recently introduced cutting-edge technology to streamline its complex inventory and distribution processes.

SNBTS was able to adapt its processes quickly during the pandemic, to ensure that its supply of blood components could meet national demand.

Candidates have until the 9^th of December to submit their applications.

More information can be found here.

 

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