New Southampton NHS blood donor centre opens
Over 400 appointments a week will be held at the permanent centre, with the blood donated saving up to 1,200 lives
NHS Blood and Transplant is urging Hampshire residents to donate blood as a new blood donor centre opens just off the M3.
The new site is located at Concept House, 6 Stoney Croft Rise, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 3LD – less than a 20-minute drive from both Southampton and Winchester city centres. Appointments for the coming weeks and months are now available to book via the app, website and phone.
Blood is needed to save lives in emergencies, treat cancer and ensure many thousands of people with debilitating long-term conditions can live close to normal lives.
The centre opening comes ahead of World Sickle Cell Day this Thursday (19th June). A particular type of blood is urgently needed to treat patients with sickle cell disease – the country’s fastest growing genetic disorder that affects people of Black heritage. Around 50 per cent of people from Black Caribbean and Black African heritage have a blood subtype called Ro, which is used primarily to treat people with sickle cell.
Although England has seen an increased wave of blood donation registrations over the past year, only one in four (24 per cent) have gone on to donate. In Hampshire, there are currently 14,000 donors who have donated in the last 3 years who are eligible to book an appointment. This is the highest volume of donors of any county in England.
In particular, O negative donors are being urgently called on as the NHS warns that supplies of O negative are critically low. Just eight per cent of the population have O negative blood but, it accounts for 15 per cent of the blood used by hospitals and first responders.
Most people can give blood if they are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before). If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating.
The centre will be open six day a week, with donation appointments available in the early morning, evening and on Saturdays.
Parking is available on-site, with further free parking available at Freespace Skate Park, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, SO53 3LD. The centre can be reached by the No.1 bus in both directions, plus the No.5 bus from Eastleigh Station.
The donor centre features nine blood donor chairs, free WiFi for donors, and consultation rooms named after, and decorated with, local landmarks, including St Mary’s Stadium and the River Itchen. The building was refurbished in collaboration with Kier Places and Pick Everard.
Southampton Donor Centre Manager Claire Alexander said: “We’re asking Hampshire residents to make an appointment at the new donor centre to give blood and help save lives.
“Our new centre has capacity for over 400 appointments a week, so I urge all potential donors to sign-up today. We need a steady supply of donations, so even if your appointment is next month, your blood will still save lives then.
“We particularly hope that people who have donated before will come back and donate again now that we have a permanent centre nearby. The entire donation process takes just an hour. Each donation can save up to three lives, so every person who comes forward will help us save even more lives across the country."
Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron said: “I am delighted that the newly opened blood donor centre in Southampton will make it easier for local people to regularly make lifesaving blood donations.
“Giving blood is a selfless act that ensures the NHS can help patients in emergencies, during surgery and for ongoing treatments.
“In particular, we need more people with O negative blood type to come forward and donate, so please don’t hesitate to book an appointment if you can – one hour of your time could save up to 3 lives.”
To find out more or book an appointment visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.