An office block is being transformed into a blood donation centre.

Work began on the project at Concept House in Eastleigh to address an urgent healthcare need.

NHS Blood and Transplant is aiming to boost blood donations and tackle low stock levels.

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The new centre will include nine donation beds, consultation rooms, a kitchen, a waiting area, and an environmentally controlled storage unit. Mechanical and engineering elements will be upgraded to meet healthcare standards.

Pick Everard, a multi-disciplinary consultancy, is leading the project, working directly with main contractor Kier. Both companies are collaborating with the NHS to identify more potential sites for similar transformations across the country.

In July, the NHS issued a blood shortage amber alert, urging more people with O-type blood, the universal blood type, to donate. The new centre is part of the NHS's broader campaign to address these shortages.

Kieran Bradley, director of architecture at Pick Everard, said: "Across the UK, the footprint of our town centres is rapidly changing, and this project is a prime example of modern reuse, converting an old business unit into a healthcare environment that meets urgent sector need.

"The existing design, being an office ground floor, will require us to start from scratch, with new ventilation, walls, floors, doors and finishes completely transforming the environment, with infection control a key design drive.

"With plenty of parking for patients and staff, we’re looking forward to the new facility becoming a key part of the local community, while meeting national sector demand."

Steve Donachy, area manager for Kier Places, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this project on behalf of NHS Blood and Transplant, in partnership with Pick Everard.

“Our role as lead contractor will see Kier Places take ownership of early design, procurement and overall delivery of this important project for the Eastleigh community, and Southampton more widely.

“Blood donations nationally are at all-time low - providing facilities like this has never been so important. The transformation of Concept House will support the transition to a fixed place donor centre for the public to donate blood and we’re proud to support that ambition.”