Plasma donation centre to open in West Sussex as Covid-19 trial expands

A new blood plasma donation centre is opening up in West Sussex as the world’s largest plasma trial for COVID-19 expands.
The plasma donation centre in Westfield, LondonThe plasma donation centre in Westfield, London
The plasma donation centre in Westfield, London

The centre in Chichester will be one of 14 new plasma donation centres supporting two COVID-19 treatment trials being opened by NHS Blood and Transplant.

The new centre will open in the next few weeks.

The final venue is being agreed and will be announced shortly, a spokesman confirmed.

The plasma donation centre in Westfield, LondonThe plasma donation centre in Westfield, London
The plasma donation centre in Westfield, London
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People in Chichester who have had coronavirus are being urged to register as donors now, so that they can be booked in for appointments in advance.

A spokesman said: “The antibody-rich plasma of people who’ve had coronavirus can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.

“The antibodies could slow or stop the virus spreading, which could save lives.

“There is promising evidence for the effectiveness of convalescent plasma but before general use patient benefit needs to be demonstrated in randomised control trials.

The plasma donation centre in Westfield, LondonThe plasma donation centre in Westfield, London
The plasma donation centre in Westfield, London
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“The NHS Blood and Transplant led trials are the world’s largest randomised clinical trials of convalescent plasma.

“Donations are urgently needed so that if the trial confirms patient benefit, plasma can be made readily available for general use in the NHS.”

Hospitals in West Sussex have already transfused around four people.

NHS Blood and Transplant currently collects plasma in 28 areas and Chichester is one of 14 chosen for the expansion of autumn and winter because it has ‘a significant number of potential donors’.

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Professor David Roberts, NHSBT Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation, and also one of the trial’s Principal Investigators, said: “We have so far seen a fantastic response from the public.

“We would love to see people in Chichester offering to donate so we can book them into donation appointments now.

“Donation is safe and easy, and you could save lives.”

Donation takes about 45 minutes. The whole visit – including the donation, snacks and checks - takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

A spokesman said: “Your body usually replaces the plasma you’ve donated in 24-48 hours.

“Your body also quickly replaces the donated antibodies.

“All donations are tested for COVID antibodies.”

If you have had coronavirus or symptoms, volunteer to donate plasma at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk

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