13 June 2018
Friendship and camaraderie are a huge part of working in the NHS.
So it’s no surprise that the Beatles classic ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ has been chosen as the official song to mark the NHS’ 70th birthday next month.
Midwives Cheryl and Sarah know a thing or two about friendship.
They met on their first day at primary school in 1988.
Little did they know that 24 years later they would both qualify as midwives and still be the best of friends.
Throughout primary school they were inseparable and went onto the same senior school.
After school, Sarah trained and qualified to be a nurse, while Cheryl steadily worked her way up in a high street bank.
Unbeknown to each other at the time, they even got engaged on the same day.
It wasn’t until Cheryl’s daughter was born that she decided it was time to follow in her mum’s footsteps and become a midwife.
Meanwhile, Sarah had been a nurse on the cardiothoracic ward for five years and despite loving her job she also decided now was the time to pursue her dream to become a midwife, she joined Cheryl in the second year of university.
They became colleagues as well as best friends when they both graduated in 2012.
Sarah has maintained her nursing registration and continues to work as part of the nursing bank.
They have delivered each other’s babies and now work together to deliver other people’s babies.
Sarah said: “Cheryl is a very special person and is a compassionate midwife. When I lost my own babies she held my hand, and she calmed my nerves when I had my rainbow baby. Being a midwife is a special job that I feel very passionate about but we had two very good role models – both my mum and Cheryl’s mum both worked in the NHS – we like to think that we make them both proud.”
Cheryl said: “I have never regretted the decision to change career to become a midwife and I have been lucky to have my best friend by my side. Bringing a life into the world never fails to amaze me and I am proud of what Sarah and I have achieved. Being a midwife is hard at times, but that’s why we all need a little help from our friends.”
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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.