Optimal use of blood and innovative approaches to stem cells, regenerative medicine and donor recruitment.

The annual scientific meeting of the Scotblood National Blood Transfusion Service, (SNBTS), continues to enjoy success. Scotblood 2013 focused on the contemporary issues affecting the various essential areas of blood transfusion and transfusion medicine. Presentations ranged from the challenges of recruiting young donors, forecasting future blood demand and celebrating the success of the better blood transfusion program. The meeting also discussed potential future developments in regenerative medicine particularly the potential of mesenchymal stromal cells and discussion of the ongoing Bloodpharma project, the ultimate aim of developing cultured red blood cells. This commentary comprises summaries of the presentations, based in part on the abstracts provided by the speakers. The Scotblood Conference began with the welcoming introduction by SNBTS Director Mrs. Mary Morgan, during which she updated the ongoing developments within SNBTS over the last year. Mrs. Morgan described how SNBTS met the challenges and obstacles that have been prevalent in all Blood Transfusion Services, whilst also meeting the transfusion needs of the people of Scotland. Mrs. Morgan then introduced the keynote speaker Dr. Aileen Keel CBE, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Scotland. Dr. Keel's presentation was entitled "Twenty years in the Scottish Government-edited highlights" in which she described the various challenges that have presented themselves to her throughout her career. Dr. Keel highlighted how the various risks in the blood transfusion field (from HCV, HIV through to nvCJD) have arisen and then reduced to miniscule levels through hard work and perseverance. The highlights of the conference are summarised below.