The Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme based at UHCW is available to all men aged 65 and over in Coventry and Warwickshire and will prevent hundreds of premature deaths.
The Coventry and Warwickshire AAA Screening Programme invites men for screening during the year they turn 65, while men over 65 who have not already been screened can arrange an appointment.
Around 5,000 people, most of them older men, die in England and Wales every year from abdominal aortic aneurysms, which are formed when the main blood vessel in the body weakens and expands. The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme aims to prevent around half of those deaths. Men are six times more likely than women to have an AAA, which is why only men are screened.
One such gent who was screened by the NHS Coventry and Warwickshire AAA Screening Programme, told UHCW his experience of screening: “The screening is a really simple ultrasound test that took less than 10 minutes. I was told there and then that they had found a large aneurysm and within six weeks I had my operation. My experience and the care I received from UHCW from initial diagnosis through to recovery was excellent.”
Nigel Wood, Programme Manager explains: "The screening test is a simple non-invasive ultrasound scan, similar to that offered to women in pregnancy, it only takes around 10 minutes and you receive your result straight away.
I would urge all men aged 65 and over in Coventry and Warwickshire to consider seriously the offer of screening, especially if they are in a high risk group.”
The risk of having an AAA is higher if you:
In order that men can make an informed choice about whether to have an AAA Scan, they are encouraged to visit the AAA Screening decision aid. This was developed in conjunction with the National Shared Decision Making Programme and aims to help individual men make an informed decision about whether to take up the offer of screening based on an understanding of the potential benefits and risks of AAA screening and their own values. It can be accessed by visiting the following website: http://sdm.rightcare.nhs.uk/pda/aaa-screening.
If you would like to receive AAA Screening, please call the AAA Screening Programme Office for Coventry and Warwickshire on 01788 663428 or email: AAAScreeningProgramme@uhcw.nhs.uk with details of your NHS number.
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.