28 June 2018
Roger has a special reason for volunteering at University Hospital. He wanted to give back to the hospital that cared for his beloved mum, Phyllis.
Roger looked after his mum for seven years until she sadly passed away in 2015. Phyllis had been a patient at University Hospital several times after she broke her hip in 2008. Roger was so impressed by the care she received, that when he retired from 41 years in manufacturing, he wanted to give something back.
He said:
“My parents brought me up to care for other people, and the NHS and University Hospital were always there for Mum. The staff went above and beyond for her, and for me as her son.”
Roger is one of 26 Support for the Dying Companions, and he spends time with patients in University Hospital during the last weeks and days of their lives. He sits with, talks or reads to people, and can offer support to their families too.
Since the Support for the Dying Companion scheme was started in 2016, Roger has provided support and comfort to around 50 people in their last days.
As well as being a Support for the Dying Companion, he also meets and greets patients and helps out the hospital’s Pharmacy, Phlebotomy and Critical Care teams.
He added:
“The NHS has some great people in it, and I’ve seen personally through my mum’s experience how the staff put patients first. I think the NHS is always improving and if we have another 70 years of improvements like this, the NHS will be even more amazing in 2088!
“I’m proud to be an NHS volunteer – if you volunteer you’re here for just one reason, and that’s to help people at their time of need.”
Thank you Roger, and all of our incredible volunteers!
If you’d like to know more about becoming a volunteer at University Hospital in Coventry, please contact Kristine Davies, Head of Voluntary Services, on 024 7696 5146 or email volunteers@uhcw.nhs.uk.
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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.