Gift of A Life (GOAL) is a registered charity which raises funds to support the work of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine.
GOAL was set up in 1989, money was raised and the very first fertility clinic was in a small side room in the Antenatal Department in the old hospital. Coventry’s first IVF baby was born in July 1991. This inspired the charity's committee to raise enough money to convert an unused ward. Ward M4 was developed and it was an area where infertility patients had their own space for the first time.
Staff and patients raised money in a variety of ways, raffles, duck races, a summer ball, sponsored walks, Consultant Richard Kennedy even completed his very first parachute jump. As plans for the new University Hospital were drawn up, the infertility clinic was the first to move into the Centre for Reproductive Medicine as it is known today.
Over 25 years later the charity still supports the work of the unit. It has paid for the landscaping of the area outside the CRM, a new sound system in the unit and in 2012 it made a £10,000 donation toward the purchase of an Embryoscope, magazines for the men’s room and the upkeep of the waiting rooms fish tank.
Over the years there have been many different events some more high profile than others but all contributing to a vital need. With limited funds for new equipment, and the ever increasing rate of technological development, charitable funds are as important as ever.
If you would like more information on supporting the work of the GOAL Charity or would like to make a donation please contact CRM on 024 7696 8879 and they will pass on your details to the committee.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
Shielding Patients in very high risk for COVID Group
All people who have been identified as very high risk (requiring shielding) for COVID are in the process of being contacted by their clinician regarding their ongoing care. If you require a blood test whilst shielding as part of your care, appointment details including when and where your blood test will be carried out will be sent to you via a text message from SwiftQueue who manage our blood test bookings.
If you have regular blood tests and have been asked to have these, please ensure you have blood forms at home available; if you haven’t please contact your specialty to have some sent to you in advance of your blood tests.
Older People and Vulnerable Adults
People who are in the groups identified by the government as higher risk e.g are over 70 or receive a yearly flu jab, but are not in the very high risk (requiring shielding) group, can attend our normal blood test clinics. The blood test clinics and waiting areas have been adapted so that social distancing can be maintained.
Please check the locations on the map below.
Click on the map for information about phlebotomy clinics in Coventry. You can book an appointment online at the locations in red.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Booking an appointment helps patients, their carers and family members to plan their hospital visit better, helping to reduce clinic waiting times and enabling patients to be seen much more quickly.
Location: Outpatients Department, on the ground floor. Opening hours: 8am-4.45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Children under 16 years old will need to book online here.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test, click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Patients from Rugby and the surrounding areas are able to access the Friends Blood Taking Unit at the Hospital of St Cross.
Referrals for blood tests can be from GP's, practice nurses or from hospital consultants. Patients are also able to leave other samples, such as urine, which have been collected at home, at the hospital's Pathology Reception.
Location: Near Brookfield House, just off North Road - map here. Opening hours: The blood taking clinic sessions for adults and children are listed below:
Monday -Friday 7am-4:45pm Appointment only
Wednesday Evening 5pm-7pm Suspended due to COVID
Saturday Morning 7am-10pm Suspended due to COVID
April 2020 NEW - This Clinic is now by appointment. Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above.
Address: Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry CV1 4FS Location: Access is via the main doors, the Phlebotomy team are in Area A. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). 8am–4.45pm
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Specialist Tests - There are a small number of specialist tests where blood needs to be taken on a hospital site as the sample must be transferred to the laboratory rapidly for the test to be undertaken. Click here for a list of these specialist tests and to find out more.