9 May 2019
Our Deputy Chief Executive Karen Martin is looking forward to a day out with a difference at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her contribution to the NHS.
Karen will be joined by her husband Paul, who spent 43 years at UHCW, at the Queen’s Garden Party on Wednesday, May 15.
It comes after Karen, also our Chief Workforce and Information Officer, was nominated in acknowledgement of her hard work and dedication.
Karen is now on the hunt for a hat befitting of the occasion as she prepares to mingle with other distinguished guests as well as royalty.
She said: “Receiving the letter through the post gave me goosebumps.
“I’ve had to pinch myself a few times. The NHS is amazing and I love working with such caring, compassionate and considerate colleagues every day.
“We feel extremely lucky and privileged to have had such long and varied careers and this invite is the icing on the cake. We can’t wait to go.”
Karen, who has worked for 37 years in the NHS, is currently in her second spell at UHCW, having also worked for Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Paul, who retired after 43 years at UHCW, started his career as a Theatre Technician at Walsgrave Hospital and ended it as the Director of Governance at the University Hospital.
He said: “I am extremely proud to be accompanying Karen and representing more than 80 years in the NHS between us.
“There are so many aspects of working for UHCW that never left me: the incredible skill of the staff, the care and kindness shown to patients and relatives, the great friendships that you built up. Probably the best thing was being part of a team of people across the whole Trust who literally changed people’s lives for the better.
“It’s been an amazing journey and both Karen and I are looking forward to extending it at the Queen’s Garden Party.”
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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.