Converted from office space into a modern NHS Blood and transplant donation hub in just 14 weeks, the facility can now deliver over 400 appointments per week.

Southampton Blood Donor Centre Transformation

The new Southampton Donor Centre construction project has achieved remarkable success. The modern design and friendly staff make it a great place for people to come and donate blood. All the stakeholders are thrilled with the outcome. The new facility is functional, modern and meets everyone’s needs. The project’s success is a testament to teamwork, collaboration and hard work from everyone involved."

Liam O’Regan, MCIOB NHSBT Construction Programme Manager

Overview

Pick Everard was appointed by NHS Blood and Transplant to deliver a new, modern blood donor centre in Southampton, converting an existing office space into a state-of-the-art facility. The brief required the creation of a welcoming, efficient environment to enhance the donor experience while maximising appointment capacity.

Key aims included fast‑track delivery to meet urgent operational needs, ensuring compliance with NHS standards, and providing adaptable spaces to support future service demands. The project also needed to optimise donor flow, provide accessible facilities, and reflect the NHS’s commitment to high‑quality, patient‑centred care – all achieved within a challenging 14‑week programme.

The Challenge

The primary challenge was the exceptionally tight 14‑week programme, requiring rapid transformation of an existing office space into a fully operational blood donor centre without compromising quality or compliance.

Working within a live city centre location demanded careful coordination to minimise disruption and manage site access. Strict NHS standards for clinical environments added complexity, with requirements for specialist equipment installation, robust infection control measures, and precise mechanical and electrical systems integration. Additionally, the design needed to optimise donor flow in a non‑purpose‑built structure, requiring innovative spatial planning to balance operational efficiency with a welcoming and comfortable donor experience.

Our Solutions

Leveraging our multi‑disciplinary expertise, we provided architecture, structural engineering, health and safety, and M&E services, ensuring all aspects of the project were seamlessly coordinated from the outset. Close collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant and the contractor, Kier, enabled us to address design, compliance, and programme requirements in parallel, streamlining decision‑making and reducing delays.

Our architects developed innovative layouts to maximise donor flow, while our engineers delivered efficient MEP solutions and structural modifications tailored to clinical standards. Through clear communication, proactive problem‑solving, and our experience in fast‑track healthcare delivery, we achieved a high‑quality, fully operational donor centre on time and within budget.

Our Innovations

The project showcased innovative spatial planning, transforming a non‑purpose‑built office into a fully compliant clinical environment optimised for donor comfort and operational efficiency. The layout improved patient flow, reduced waiting times, and created a welcoming atmosphere to encourage repeat donations.

As a retrofit scheme, it made extensive use of the existing building structure and services, reducing material use, waste, and embodied carbon. M&E solutions were tailored to meet stringent NHS requirements while maximising energy efficiency, including LED lighting and demand‑controlled ventilation to lower operational costs and environmental impact. This approach supported the NHS’s sustainability objectives while delivering long‑term operational and maintenance efficiencies.