3 June 2021
Patients are set to benefit as a new £1 million purpose built Haematology and Oncology unit has opened its doors at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby.
The opening of The Maple Unit, by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust expands the high quality cancer and blood disorder services available for patients across Coventry and Warwickshire.
The Maple Unit, which has five outpatient consultation rooms and nine day case treatment chairs, was developed with support from some generous donations from local charities.
Coventry Hospitals Charity, a charity founded by healthcare staff and local businesses in the 1980s, donated £845,000 for the building work and redevelopment of the site.
The Friends of St Cross fundraised £200,000 for the specialist equipment and furniture within, including the nine treatment chairs.
Construction to transform the disused Mulberry ward, which started in September last year, was completed earlier this month, with specialist equipment and furniture delivered and installed over the last few weeks.
Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of UHCW, said: “We are delighted to be able to expand our service in Warwickshire.
“By providing this important patient care closer to people’s doorsteps in a brand new facility we are hope to provide a complete all round service which aligns with our existing services.
“The opening of The Maple Unit also further shows our commitment to Rugby and the Hospital of St Cross as well as our priority to put our patients first.”
Dr Beth Harrison, Consultant Haematologist, said: “The Maple Unit is a lovely facility and it is wonderful that we have started to hold clinics and treat patients here.
“The transformation from a disused ward to a bespoke unit for our patients has been really exciting.”
Sam Neale, Lead Nurse Chemotherapy Services at UHCW, added: “The opening of The Maple Unit is fantastic for patients, expanding our capacity for treatment across the region.
“After so much hard work over the last eight months I’m thrilled that The Maple Unit is now open.”
Janine Beddow, Site Manager at the Hospital of St Cross, said: “The Maple Unit is a fantastic addition to the care we provide at the Hospital of St Cross and continues our drive to deliver care closer to home for our patients.
“This welcome investment in the Hospital of St Cross underlines UHCWs commitment to improving patient experience throughout the Hospital of St Cross.”
Haematology and Oncology services continue to be delivered at University Hospital, in Coventry.
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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.