1 August 2019
The families of children affected by a rare condition have joined forces to donate a specialist chair that will provide life changing support at University Hospital in Coventry.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) means the ‘ball and socket’ joint of the hip does not properly form in babies and young children.
Samantha Gibbs and Dana Quinney, who both have children with DDH, wanted to give something back to say thank you for the treatment their children received from the Paediatric Orthopaedic Department.
They raised funds for a specialist chair to help those in a hip spica cast and aged between eight months and three years to sit up and be fully supported.
This ensures patients feed better, have greater freedom and join in with others.
Sam said: “My daughter Beau’s treatment was an incredibly hard time for us all and Beau was unable to get comfortable and was in constant pain, emotionally and mentally.
“For me this was also incredibly tough but the care and treatment she received at University Hospital was incredible and I wanted to give something back.
“We carried out some fundraising in order to donate a chair to help others who have been in Beau’s position.
“We hope it can make a real difference to children and offer them and their families some support.”
Sam and Dana, both members of the DDH UK group, presented the chair to the hospital alongside Sam’s daughter, Beau.
Giles Pattison, Paediatric Orthopaedic Consultant at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust: “We are delighted to receive this chair and would like to thank the DDH UK group for their fund-raising efforts.
“It is estimated one in six new-borns will have an element of hip instability and two to three in every 1,000 infants will require some form of treatment.
“DDH treatment can vary. Some children’s hips are corrected while wearing a harness but for others surgery and a prolonged period in a spica cast is required.
“This specialist chair will help children with DDH to be as comfortable and have as normal an experience while in hospital as possible.”
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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
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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.