An existing office within Concept House in Eastleigh has been transformed into a blood donation centre, which will offer over 400 appointments a week. The Concept House project — procured through the SCAPE National Construction Framework – was delivered in 14 weeks by principal contractor, Kier Places, working in partnership with multidisciplinary consultancy, Pick Everard, which delivered architecture, structural engineering, and M&E services. In addition to nine donation beds and individual consultation rooms, a new kitchen, waiting area, and an environmentally controlled storage unit, have been created, with existing mechanical and engineering (M&E) elements stripped out and replaced.
The facility’s opening came ahead of World Sickle Cell Day on 19 June. A particular type of blood is urgently needed to treat patients with sickle cell disease – the country’s fastest growing genetic disorder, which 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.
Steve Donachy, Area manager for Building Solutions, part of Kier Places, said: “The new centre is vital for NHSBT, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome, and – most importantly – the impact the facility will now have on patients and their care.
“We’re set-up to deliver rapid refurbishment schemes, working with the right people and supply chain – this is especially important given the urgency for blood. Concept House is the perfect example of taking an existing building space and repurposing it – at pace – into a high-quality healthcare facility. The collaboration between all the partners – NHSBT, Kier, and Pick Everard – was absolutely critical in the rapid completion, and the result is a fantastic new donation centre for the local community.”
Kieran Bradley, director of Architecture at Pick Everard, said: “It’s been a privilege to work on a project that supports such an important service within public health. The new blood donor centre will improve access to blood donation in Southampton, making it more convenient for people to contribute. We’re pleased to have supported NHSBT with a design that’s practical, welcoming, and focused on the users’ needs. It’s a good example of how considered design can support essential services and benefit the wider community.”