Briefly responding to your points:-
1) Yes
2) Ignore all that
3) None of those already mentioned (see PM) ... we need an ITU-type
4) Yes; we love databases
5) Yes; I've read that (and wonder who they copied it from)
6) The Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield were (are) amongst the best rifles known to Man
7) Yes; as always
8) I don't like that idea*
9) Who are we expecting to actually produce these new ventilators?
* What will happen to any "new" - and possibly sub-standard - machines once the crisis has passed?
PS: "A design from scratch seems ... "? See your point 6)
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Whilst acknowledging that there is a worldwide demand for ventilators at the moment (and not that many manufacturers), I believe we need someone at an appropriate level in the NHS to make a shortlist (of three or so) of the preferred ventilators currently in service, then approach the manufacturer of each to see if they can supply the numbers required (doubtful) and in the time required (even more so). Then, if requirements cannot be met, and licensing and what-have-you can be obtained, then other non-OEM manufacturers should be requested to mass-produce the most preferred model. That is, clone an existing and successful design. Again, I see problems there ... not least the (non-) availability of components, the production of circuit boards etc., etc. ... and do we in the UK have such manufacturing capabilities these days, anyway? But lastly, who would be in charge of co-ordinating such a project - a Government department?
