Optimising the Donor Blood and Blood Component Collection Network: Enhancing Resilience, Efficiency, and Donor Satisfaction in Blood Supply Chains

This project is funded by HEIF202526.

This application fits the eligibility criteria as it represents a clear industry–academia partnership between the University of Portsmouth and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The project, Optimising the Donor Blood and Blood Component Collection Network: Enhancing Resilience, Efficiency, and Donor Satisfaction in Blood Supply Chains, brings together the University’s expertise in optimisation modelling, algorithm design, data analytics, and supply chain design with NHSBT’s operational knowledge and access to real-world data.

The collaboration is structured to deliver mutual benefit: NHSBT gains evidence-based tools and methods to improve efficiency, resilience, and donor experience in its operations, while the University advances research impact and knowledge exchange with direct application to a critical healthcare system. The partnership also ensures that the research is for public benefit, contributing to a more sustainable and reliable blood supply, improving patient outcomes, and supporting the resilience of the NHS. The project therefore fully aligns with the call’s objectives by fostering knowledge exchange, applying academic expertise to real-world industry challenges, and generating outcomes with measurable benefits for patients, society, and the economy.