READING’S Blood Plasma Donation Centre has reopened following an expansion, celebrating its new facilities with an opening ceremony.
The donation centre in Kennet Place, Reading, has been refurbished and seen an expansion to facilities, creating more capacity for donations.
It has grown to accommodate 12 donation chairs from nine, increasing the capacity for simultaneous donation by a third in the bigger and brighter facility.
Other new features include wifi, new chairs and fittings, an updated reception desk, modern screening booths, and a donor snack station, all aimed at giving people a better experience when they visit.
The refurbishment was unveiled at a ceremony attended by NHS Blood and Transplant Director of Plasma for Medicines Gerry Gogarty and David MacIntosh from UK Plasma Action on Thursday, July 27.
Plasma is used to make lifesaving medicines which can treat more than 50 diseases, and there are only three plasma donation centres in England.
Over the last 12 months, the centre collected around 7,000 donations, but more than 500 people from the Thames Valley receive plasma medicines every year and more donors are needed.
The centre needs to collect around 12,000 donations over the next year to reach donation targets and boost NHS supplies.
As such, it’s important that the NHS makes those places “hotspots” for plasma donation, including Reading.
A visit to the centre takes an hour in total, including only 35 minutes of the plasma donation process, and donation is open to those aged 17-65.
Alex Allman is one of the patients who received immunoglobulin following exposure to a patient with measles at A&E during January 2020.
The donor antibodies in the plasma medicine boosted his immune system, protecting him from the potentially serious complications which can occur if the measles infection reaches the brain or lungs.
His mum, Kathryn, from Spencer’s Wood near Reading, started donating plasma herself after Alex received the treatment.
She said: “We were told measles can even lead to death.
“Immunoglobulin gave me that peace of mind. It made all the difference to Alex and us.”
She added: “I’m so excited to see the donor centre has been refurbished because I know we need more donors.
“Donation is quick and the staff are such good fun– you’re donating a medicine in you which saves lives, plus you get free snacks.”
Shannon Weetch, nursing team leader for Reading Plasma Donor Centre, said: “We know many people haven’t heard of plasma donation but it’s easy and simple, like blood donation.
“Plasma helps babies’ hearts, adds antibodies, improves the immune system, prevents paralysis–it’s amazing and lifesaving.
“My team are so happy with the new look and we’d really love to see new faces down here trying donation. We need you to join our growing community of donors and help save lives.”
Gerry Gogarty, Director of Plasma Donation for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We needed to expand from temporary set-up to a modern and professional experience that reflects how important it is for Reading to become a hotspot for plasma donation the wider NHS.”
For more details about plasma donation, or becoming a donor yourself, visit: blood.co.uk/plasma
