New Zealand Blood Service welcomes Heart Valve Bank

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) recently welcomed Heart Valve Bank (HVB) to the Service, in a move that will allow HVB’s service to grow and improve the quality of life for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

It’s the result of a project undertaken in late 2019 in conjunction with the Auckland DHB to facilitate the transition of the service to NZBS in preparation for the retirement of key staff and ensure it continues to have access to a national network.

HVB officially became part of NZBS on October 4.

The move will see HVB operate within the new Cellular Therapy and Tissue Bank at NZBS. Until recently, the service was provided by Auckland DHB laboratory LabPLUS.

It brings together two services that specialise in the delicate process of tissue donation.

NZBS has worked closely with the LabPLUS team to ensure there is minimal changes or impact to service delivery throughout this transition.

HVB will continue to be based at Starship Children’s Hospital (SSCH) until space becomes available in an NZBS facility. This is expected to happen in 2023.

NZBS is excited to take on the responsibility of managing HVB and looks forward to playing a role in growing this vital service in the future.

We would like to thank the LabPLUS team for its support and guidance throughout this transition.

About Heart Valve Bank

HVB was originally established in Greenlane, Auckland in 1962.

Since the 1990s, the LabPLUS Microbiology Department has provided the technical expertise and clinical oversight of HVB at its current location at SSCH.

This valuable service has impacted the lives of thousands of New Zealanders throughout its 59 years of operation.

HBV manufactures approximately 60-70 homografts per year, from about 30-40 donated hearts.

The homografts are used in cardiac surgery to repair congenital defects in new babies and small children. They are also used to replace diseased heart valves in children and teenagers with rheumatic heart disease.

About New Zealand Blood Service

NZBS in a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand.  

We rely on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by our health services to save thousands of lives.

NZBS also provides cell and tissue products and related services to meet public health needs, and maintains national oversight of organ donation and distribution.