22 June 2018
Specialist nurses Hannah Martin and Paula Taylor from the Neurosciences Department have always been stars as far as staff and patients at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust are concerned, but now the two have received national recognition!
The pair have both been named in a national list of 70 people and teams who have made an exceptional contribution to the NHS and the wider health and care sector.
Hannah, who cares for people living with Parkinson’s, and Paula, who treats people with Adult Epilepsy, were named 19th and 21st respectively in a national poll by the NHS Confederation to mark the NHS’ 70th birthday.
Paula and Hannah’s secretary Jackie Hughes put them both forward for the poll of over 230 people and teams, which was decided by a public vote.
As well as the two UHCW nurses, the list of 70 stars includes the late Dr Kate Granger, who set up the nationally-used “Hello My Name Is” campaign, Chief Executives and Chairs of national bodies and NHS Trusts, and even former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
It’s extra special for Paula and Hannah to share the honour, as they have worked together at UHCW for over 15 years.
Paula was one of Hannah’s mentors when she first started at the Trust in 2001. Hannah also followed in Paula’s footsteps by setting up the specialised nursing service for people with Parkinson’s in 2009, five years after Paula had established a similar nursing service for people with epilepsy.
Paula, who lives in Nuneaton, said: “I was really grateful to be nominated, but shocked too, as providing care to patients is why we come to work.”
Hannah, from Barby near Rugby, said: “I’m really humbled by being named on this list, as I don’t feel that I do anything different – I’m just so proud to work for the NHS at UHCW, especially as the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday.
“I’m especially proud as this raises the profile of both Parkinson’s and epilepsy locally and nationally. I’d like to thank Jackie for putting us forward, and everyone who voted for us, as I know we had a lot of support from our UHCW colleagues, including our individual specialist teams, respective charities Epilepsy Action and Parkinson’s UK, and the Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist Association.”
Paula added: “Both Hannah and I come to work each day to help people manage their conditions and live as normal a life a possible, whether they have epilepsy or Parkinson’s Disease.
“We wouldn’t be here without the team of doctors, nurses and support staff in both our services, and are fortunate to be valued as equals and specialists within our Neurology team.”
Tracey Brigstock, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “I am immensely proud to have two of our UHCW senior nurses recognised for their exceptional contribution to the NHS in its 70th year, especially as this was decided by a public vote”.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
Shielding Patients in very high risk for COVID Group
All people who have been identified as very high risk (requiring shielding) for COVID are in the process of being contacted by their clinician regarding their ongoing care. If you require a blood test whilst shielding as part of your care, appointment details including when and where your blood test will be carried out will be sent to you via a text message from SwiftQueue who manage our blood test bookings.
If you have regular blood tests and have been asked to have these, please ensure you have blood forms at home available; if you haven’t please contact your specialty to have some sent to you in advance of your blood tests.
Older People and Vulnerable Adults
People who are in the groups identified by the government as higher risk e.g are over 70 or receive a yearly flu jab, but are not in the very high risk (requiring shielding) group, can attend our normal blood test clinics. The blood test clinics and waiting areas have been adapted so that social distancing can be maintained.
Please check the locations on the map below.
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.