18 May 2020
People in Coventry & Warwickshire are being urged to dial 999 if they or a loved one has stroke symptoms - and not put off seeking help because of coronavirus.
Latest figures show that visits to A&E in April dropped by almost 60 per cent in the Midlands region.
F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a simple checklist to help people identify the most common signs of a stroke.
• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred?
• Time to call 999
As part of the NHS ‘Help Us Help You’ campaign, anyone who may be having a stroke is being told to seek treatment as soon as possible.
The message comes just weeks after the announcement of a decision to implement new stroke services across Coventry and Warwickshire.
The decision - taken following full public consultation – is likely to see the establishment of fully integrated, end‐to‐end NHS stroke services commissioned across Coventry and Warwickshire, in line with the national and regional (Midlands and East) stroke specification.
There is likely to be a new hyper-acute stroke unit at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust plus the provision of community-based rehabilitation services across the area.
Implementation of the new model is currently on hold due to COVID-19.
Dr Gavin Farrell, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Lead for the Coventry and Warwickshire Stroke review, said: “Acting fast can be critical for the outcome of stroke patients. I would urge anyone who suspects they have suffered a stroke or have a family member presenting signs of a stroke to seek urgent medical help immediately. This quick response can have a massive impact. It might feel like a daunting time to access health services at the moment, but we can assure patients across Coventry and Warwickshire that all the necessary precautions are being taken to ensure your safety, so please do not delay getting vital treatment.”
Nigel Sturrock, Medical Director at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, said:
“While NHS staff have rightly pulled out all the stops to respond to the global coronavirus pandemic, providing safe, world-class treatment for killer conditions like stroke has still been a priority.
“Because of that incredible effort, at all times the NHS has been able to provide care for everyone who has urgently needed it, but it’s a real concern that the number of people coming forward for stroke care at the right time has gone down.
“So, if you or a loved one experience stroke symptoms, please help us help you. Act fast, and call 999. Our expert paramedics, stroke nurses, radiologists and doctors will ensure you get the care you need as quickly as possible.”
For further advice and support, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/
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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.