The Authority (NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is required to store human tissue and cells for human application, research and IVD products in vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels. Facilities are available at Birmingham, Bristol, Barnsley, Liverpool, Oxford, and Southampton sites. In some cases, there can be insufficient storage space at these sites, therefore the Authority is required to store some cryovessels off site and to have in place a contingency plan to transfer cryostorage vessels off site for temporary storage in emergency situations.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in England, with responsibilities across the United Kingdom for organ donation and transplantation. Our core purpose is to ‘save and improve lives’ through the provision of a safe and reliable supply of blood components, solid organs, stem cells, tissues and related services to the NHS, and to the other UK Health Services where directed. 

NHSBT is required to store human tissue and cells for human application, research and IVD products in vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels. Where facilities are available, storage is carried out at NHSBT sites. In some cases, there is insufficient storage space so NHSBT has a requirement to store some cryostorage vessels permanently off site. There is also a requirement to have in place a contingency plan to transfer cryostorage vessels off site for temporary storage in emergency situations.

This will be a Framework Agreement for the Provision of external storage of liquid nitrogen vessels containing human tissue and cells for human application.