30 May 2019
Members of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire's Orthoptics Team are celebrating after improvements to their school vision screening service were recognised at the HSJ Value Awards.
The eye irregularity specialists scooped the Workforce Efficiency Award and were shortlisted for Technology Initiative of the Year.
Judges were impressed with work undertaken to further enhance the effectiveness of the screening service provided to four and five-year-olds at schools across Coventry, Rugby and North Warwickshire since 2002/03.
With demand on the service growing - 8,130 pupils were seen across 173 schools in 2017-18 – it was decided to move away from outdated paper-based workflows.
In their place came automated processes, including a bespoke webpage – believed to be the first of its kind in the country - that could be used safely and effectively with external organisations.
As well as reducing administration time from 1,000 hours to 375 hours per year, the changes have meant more youngsters can benefit from this vital service.
Head Orthoptist Helen Simpson said: “Successes have been numerous, with cost and efficiency savings realised and stronger clinical governance now in place.
“When we were working with the Communications Team to prepare our award submission, it brought home how much we have achieved in a short space of time. All staff deserve huge credit for taking this from the drawing board to reality.
“Winning the Workforce Efficiency Award at the HSJ Value Awards is the icing on the cake and we are absolutely delighted.”
Members of the team were presented with their award during a special ceremony in Manchester. In attendance with Helen were Rahilah Bukhari, Acting Orthoptic Special Needs Lead, Scott Robbins, Senior Information System Developer from Performance and Informatics, Community Lead Jayna Mistry and Special Schools Lead Jenny Martin.
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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.