1 April 2020
Medical students are from today supporting health services across Coventry and Warwickshire to help fight COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
120 final year students from Warwick Medical School at The University of Warwick will initially be employed by the NHS locally to deliver vital support to existing medical and other clinical staff to help with the response to Coronavirus.
The students, who have volunteered to work in local health services, will be undertaking duties such as clerking patients, administrative tasks to support clinical teams and operating a doctor ‘buddy’ system.
60 students will be working at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and 30 each at Warwick Hospital and George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton.
All have already taken and passed their Finals examinations and achieved the required standard to deliver basic care in a highly supervised clinical setting.
Professor Kiran Patel, Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible response from our local Medical School students who want to help the NHS in what is a really challenging time.
“Together with the University of Warwick, we have mobilised these students very quickly, and have pulled together a comprehensive support package for them as they start in employment, including induction, supervision, pastoral care, mentoring and mental health support.
“The three NHS Trusts have worked collaboratively to support the employment and placement of the medical students to help our local communities.
“It’s really heartening to hear that so many of them are willing to step up at this critical time, I am very proud to be working alongside these brilliant individuals.”
Professor Sudhesh Kumar from Warwick Medical School said: “As Dean of Warwick Medical School I am both deeply proud and grateful that all these talented young medical students are adding their talent, energy and commitment to the frontline of the pandemic response in our region’s hospitals.”
Student Jonny Kaberry said: “Instead of going on elective placement this month, due to the increasing demand on the healthcare system here in the UK, we have decided to stay in Coventry and Warwickshire to support the local health services. We are happy that we are playing our part during this critical time.”
Dhivyaa Premachandra, another student, said: “This is what we’ve spent the last four years training for, so we’re really pleased be using those skills and knowledge to help support the NHS.”
UHCW is also working with other academic partners, volunteers and members of the public who are keen to support the Trust’s hospitals.
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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.
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.