Banking blood

A new Waikato blood bank is twice the size of the old one and right on the Waikato Hospital campus. Having the $2m building on site means blood and blood products are quickly available – ‘‘essential for the timely care of our patients’’, Te Whatu Ora Waikato’s interim district co-director Chris Lowry said. ‘‘As a tertiary centre and trauma hospital, it’s an essential service we cannot do without.’’ The purpose-built centre was constructed by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand in a joint arrangement with New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), which will lease and operate the facility.