20 September 2021
A state-of-the-art Interventional Radiology Theatre Suite that will speed up recovery times for patients has opened at University Hospital, Coventry.
The £5.5 million facility is made up of imaging theatres and a seven bed-day case ward and is capable of delivering minimally invasive, image guided surgery that will see patients treated quickly, effectively and discharged much quicker compared to traditional surgery.
Dr Ian McCafferty, President of the British Society of Interventional Radiology, opened the suite with attendees including University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust Chair of the Trust Board Dame Stella Manzie, Chief Executive Officer Professor Andy Hardy and Chief Medical Officer Professor Kiran Patel.
Consultant Interventional Radiologist at UHCW, Dr Neil Gupta, said: “This is an incredible new facility for our patients who will be able to receive the most up to date procedures from world-leading experts, getting them back to better health more quickly.
"The facility was planned a while ago but, with the increased number of patients we need to see as we recover from the effects of the pandemic, its arrival and opening is very timely.
“The day case facility allows us to admit patients directly to the IR Suite without impacting on the main hospital inpatient beds and thus there is no risk of cancellation due to bed shortages.”
Interventional Radiology offers the opportunity for patients to have a much shorter stay in hospital, often just a day, through the use of minimally invasive procedures as an alternative to open surgery for conditions such as spinal stabilisation, insertion of stents into arteries or organs, and even targeted chemotherapy, mostly carried out under local anaesthetic.
Dr Gupta added: “We use X-rays and ultrasound to look inside patients while we operate through tiny holes in the skin, allowing us to manipulate wires and tubes to get to wherever we need to target treatment.
“This new unit provides a huge opportunity for us to revolutionise the way we respond to trauma and emergencies, as well as deliver day case procedures. We’re very proud and excited to be able to offer a vast array of procedures across medical and surgical disciplines in this world leading facility.”
For more information on Interventional Radiology, including treatment types and the benefits for patients, click here.
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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.