20 January 2021
The University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire is set to be granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Coventry. The honour was proposed in Full Council by Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr George Duggins, who said it was in recognition of the ‘incredible work’ of NHS staff at the hospital and across the city. The proposal will have to be formally agreed by Full Council at a future meeting. Once agreed, hospital representatives will be invited to a presentation and there could then be a parade to allow the city to show its thanks. Cllr Duggins said: “We have always known we have a tremendous hospital, with wonderful, dedicated staff, but that has been made even more evident in recent months. “Our NHS workers have done an incredible job to combat COVID-19. They have been on the frontline since the very beginning, risking their own health and safety to protect others and save lives.
“We have shown our thanks through doorstep claps and messages of support, but I believe we need to award a formal honour – one which will last forever and show our city’s gratitude. “We can never thank the hospital and its staff enough for what has been done in these past few months, and for the work that lies ahead, but I hope this goes some way to showing how much we appreciate their hard work and sacrifice. “The Freedom of Entry to our great city is only given very rarely, but I cannot think of a more suitable recipient than UHCW and its staff. “I look forward to the day when we can present the award and stand together as a city to cheer the workers parading through our streets. It will be a fantastic day for Coventry – and one the hospital will have helped to make possible.”
Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “It will be an incredible honour to be granted the Freedom of Entry to the City of Coventry.
“This is a testament to the hard work, dedication and service of each of our 10,000 plus staff and volunteers committed to delivering outstanding healthcare to our patients.”
Dame Stella Manzie, Chair of UHCW NHS Trust, added: "We are so very grateful to Coventry City Council for honouring the contribution of the Trust during these unprecedented times.
“It will mean a great deal to receive this accolade from the city and its communities – UHCW could not do what it does without the support from everyone in the city.”
The honour was granted to HMS Diamond, Coventry’s adopted ship, in 2014, when the crew marched through the city to the cathedral, greeted by flag-waving residents.
A formal report will be taken through Coventry City Council in the near future detailing the proposal.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, e.g. fever, loss of taste or continuous new cough, please DO NOT attend for a blood test.
Earlier this year, the Government revised the guidance on Shielding for CEV patients. All those who have been identified as CEV have been advised to follow the same guidance as everyone else, whilst potentially thinking about extra precautions you could take to reduce your chance of catching COVID-19.
Taking into account this guidance, and the evidence that most patients have now resumed having their blood tests at their usual preferred location, UHCW will no longer be providing the Shielding phlebotomy service from Monday 13 December 2021. You will need to make arrangements to get your blood tests done, as you did prior to the pandemic at locations across Coventry and Warwickshire at www.uhcw.nhs.uk/bloodtests If your specialist has requested a blood test which is due to be taken prior to Monday 13th December, you can expect it to take place at a ‘Pop-up’ clinic, as before. Any blood tests required after this date will need to be a booked appointment.
You can keep up to date with the latest advice from the Government and from UHCW on the following website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
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.