THE NHS Plasma Donation Centre has opened its doors once again following a move to a new temporary site.
The new site in Reading Bridge House is now in operation, taking donations as one only three such sites in the UK.
Since opening in April 2021, over 4,470 local people have become donors, helping NHS Blood and Transplant with the mission to save and improve lives.
Between April last year and March this year, the plasma donor centre in Reading collected over 8,668 litres of plasma, which was the highest volume collected across the three dedicated NHS plasma donor centres in England.
Plasma collected in England is used to produce lifesaving medicines and in March 2025, the first NHS patients in a generation received these medicines made from the plasma of UK donors.
These life-saving medicines are vital for patients with a wide range of conditions including immune deficiencies, burns, and liver disease.
Plasma is separated out from all blood donations before all the plasma collected is then combined in the manufacturing process to be made into medicines, so it takes many people to help one patient.
Donated plasma can be made into two medicines – immunoglobulin and albumin.
In England around 17,000 people with life limiting illnesses such as immune deficiencies rely on immunoglobulin to save or improve their lives each year–thousands of patients rely on albumin, which is used in childbirth, trauma and to treat liver conditions.
The NHS estimates that by the end of 2025, up to 23% of the country’s demand for immunoglobulin and 80% of albumin needs will be met through UK plasma collection, reducing the need for imports.
Alia Rashid, Assistant Director for Plasma Operations at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The success of plasma donation in Reading has been significant.
“The support and commitment shown by people who live and work in the Reading area to donating plasma and helping those in need is amazing.
“While exciting work is ongoing to design and establish a new plasma donor centre in 2026, we are delighted to be able to continue to collect plasma at our new temporary home in Reading Bridge House.
“We are grateful for all the support we have received from all our local donors and encourage everyone to please continue to donate plasma at the temporary centre until our permanent centre is open.
“We also encourage new people to think about donating plasma for the first time. It is really easy to book an appointment – your support is crucial to help us save and improve lives.”
Matt Rodda, MP for Reading Central, said: “I would like to thank the hardworking staff and the generous donors who have made the Reading Plasma Donor Centre such a success and I would like to wish them all every success in their new temporary home at Reading Bridge House.
“I want to also thank the team at the Reading centre for arranging for me to visit and to learn more about their vital work and the importance of plasma donations to our NHS and I would like to encourage anyone who is able to make a donation.”
More information about donating blood and blood plasma is available via: blood.co.uk
