A new purpose-built blood bank has opened at Wellington Regional Hospital, strengthening specialist testing and blood supply services for patients across the Greater Wellington region, including Porirua.
The New Zealand Blood Service facility is more than three times larger than the previous blood bank and has been designed to meet growing demand, improve resilience and allow for future expansion.
Health Minister Simeon Brown officially opened the facility alongside representatives from the Blood Service and Health New Zealand.
The Wellington Blood Bank operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It manages blood and blood products for the region and carries out specialist testing before transfusions.
New Zealand Blood Service chief executive Sam Cliffe said demand had increased significantly since the blood bank was established at Wellington Regional Hospital more than 45 years ago.
“Most people never see the work that happens inside a blood bank, but it is a critical part of modern healthcare,” Cliffe said.
“Behind every transfusion is a team of highly skilled professionals working around the clock to make sure patients receive the right blood products when they need them most.”
The new laboratory has space for a second blood analyser and increased refrigerated storage, helping ensure services can continue during periods of increased demand or disruption.
Its team of 15 staff, including 13 scientists, carries out about 40,000 tests each year.
Their work includes storing and managing donated blood, compatibility testing before transfusions and specialised testing for services including kidney transplantation.
Cliffe said the larger facility would also provide room to grow the workforce and resume practical laboratory training for pathology professionals from across the Pacific.
The new blood bank will support hospitals and health services across the wider Wellington region as demand for transfusion and specialist laboratory services continues to grow.