16 September 2021
A new £1 million purpose-built Haematology and Oncology unit has been officially opened at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby.
The Maple Unit, which has five outpatient consultation rooms and nine day case treatment chairs, expands the growing list of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) outpatient appointments available in the town.
Staff and patients were joined by Chief Executive Officer Professor Andy Hardy, UHCW Chair Dame Stella Manzie and representatives from the charities who helped to fund the development.
Coventry Hospitals Charity, an independent charity founded by healthcare staff and local businesses in the 1980s, donated £845,000 for the building work and redevelopment of the site.
Friends of St Cross fundraised £200,000 for the specialist equipment and furniture within, including the nine treatment chairs.
Dr Beth Harrison, Consultant Haematologist, said: “It is really wonderful to be able to treat patients at The Maple Unit, it is such a lovely facility. The transformation from a disused ward to this special unit is incredible.”
Sam Neale, Lead Nurse Chemotherapy Services, added: “The opening of The Maple Unit is fantastic for our patients, expanding our capacity for treatment across the region.
“It 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.”
Professor Hardy said: “We are delighted to be able to bring a service to Rugby that has never been available in the town before.
“By providing this important patient care closer to people’s doorsteps in a brand new facility, we will be able 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.”
The development of The Maple Unit continues UHCW’s investment in the site. Last year the Trust invested more than £2 million on improving older buildings, LED lighting, modernising electrics and general refurbishments across the Barby Road site.
Haematology and Oncology services also 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.
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.