27 October 2021
Patients at University Hospital in Coventry are the first in the country to be eligible to use a unique new wheelchair-sharing system.
Eight wheelchairs, free to use for up to 12 hours, are now available via a user-friendly station located underneath the ramp to the Emergency Department.
Backed by a 24/7 helpline and on-site maintenance support, the system works in a similar way to hire bikes. Users need to swipe a debit or credit card to release a chair (no fees will be charged) and must return them correctly so they are available for other users.
Lincoln Dawkin, Director of Estates and Facilities at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: "We’re delighted to be leading the way by becoming the first hospital in the country to install this technology.
“This new system will further improve the patient experience by ensuring they are able to find a chair ready to go when they arrive at hospital."
Each additional hour or part of it after the 12 hour period will cost £1. The scheme, to be trialled at University Hospital for an initial year long period, aims to ensure they are always in the right places at the right time.
The system has been created by health-tech company Wheelshare, with the wheelchairs donated by a grateful Coventry family through the UHCW Charity.
Wheelshare chief business development officer, Nir Tobis, said: “Our innovative docking stations offer a user-friendly solution to all of this and we pride ourselves on providing a service that really makes a difference to patients ensuring that they can easily access a chair so that their visit to the hospital is as smooth as possible.”
For more information on Wheelshare at University Hospital, please refer to the user manual or frequently asked questions. The Wheelshare support centre, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is available by telephoning 01747 440916.
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Visit the UHCW CHarity Website
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.
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.