In response to feedback from Blue Badge holders attending University Hospitals Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø (UHCW) NHS Trust, we are improving the way that patients and visitors can register their blue badges to park for free at our hospital sites.
This will remove the need for Blue Badge holders to queue at the Security Offices at University Hospital, Coventry and the Hospital of St. Cross, Rugby to register their badge number to obtain free parking, sometimes leading to delays and repeat visits.
From the start of April, visitors to UHCW sites will need to register their Blue Badge ahead of their visit. This can be done by calling 01493 738281 (manned by a person and normal call charges) and registering with the details on your badge.
If you aren’t able to register your details before visiting, for example, if your visit isn’t planned - you can do this when you arrive. There is also an option to register via Whatsapp, information on how to register using these methods will be included on new signage.
Please note that this change is only applicable for visitors registering their Blue Badge for the first time, if you have previously registered at the security office � this will carry over and you do not need to register again.
There will also be a new payment app for car park charges called �Evology� coming into effect, Evology Parking can be downloaded onto your smartphone via the Apple app store or Google Play Store depending on your device.
The location number for the car parks sites will not change, and the app will remember the location if you are regular visitor to our sites.
Signage across our car parks will be updated on Monday March 31st to inform users of the new app and how to download it so you can pay for parking online, without the need to visit a payment machine.
You can pay for parking up to 24 hours after leaving our hospital sites (within a 24 hour period of your arrival time), so you can download/use the app at a time/location to suit you.
Payment machines will remain on our sites for those wanting to pay in person and all visitors have a choice of paying by cash or bank card.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please click here.
University Hospitals Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø (UHCW) NHS Trust has been recognised for its technological innovation and expertise after being shortlisted three times in this year's Health Service Journal (HSJ) Digital Awards.
The shine a light on organisations driving meaningful change through technology, improving patient outcomes, streamlining processes and enhancing the overall quality of care.
The Trust’s first shortlisted entry is in the Digital Organisation of the Year category for our work on key projects such as the Electronic Patient Record (EPR), the launch of new patient portal - myhealth Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø - and the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) for validation, process mining and clinical coding.
Being shortlisted in the ‘Digital Organisation of the Year� category recognises the scale of change that we have implemented in such a short space of time � this is testament to all of the hard work from colleagues across the organisation over the past year.
The implementation of EPR has transformed the way we deliver care at UHCW, with all patient records now digitised. This means patients no longer have to repeat the same information multiple times or have to wait for their records to be transported around the Trust - it's all at the clinician’s fingertips in a new, digital format.
The deployment of the system was the biggest of its kind in Europe to date and allowed the Trust to launch its patient portal to put patients more in control of their own care, with 24/7 access to view clinical letters, scheduled appointments and selected blood test results.
As part of a wide variety of digital advancements, the Trust has also partnered with AWS, IBM, Celonis and Proximie to deliver data analysis, digital solutions and generative AI proof of concepts to transform the way we communicate with and care for patients.
By optimising the timing of text reminders to patients, for example, UHCW NHS Trust was able to reduce the Did Not Attend (DNA) rate in Outpatients from 10 to four per cent. This avoided 1,800 missed appointments each week, allowing 900 more patients to be seen per week. The success of the project caught the attention of NHS England and has positioned the Trust as a Centre of Excellence for process mining.
Our other shortlisted entry is for improvements made by the One Coventry Integrated Team (OCIT), they have been recognised in two categories: Connecting Health and Social Care through Digital and Improving Out of Hospital Care through Digital.
The team is made up of the acute hospital, community, social care services and local care providers to support patients out of hospital and closer to home.
Coventry teams worked in partnership with digital partner InterSystems and health and care integration specialists Newton to develop a shared digital record that is now used to support adults across the city achieve more independent outcomes. Its impact has been substantial, with a significant reduction in emergency hospital admissions as well as an annual cost saving in adult social care of more than £4 million.
Chief Digital and Data Officer Natasha Chare said: “To have entries shortlisted across three categories is a tremendous achievement.
“This is fantastic recognition of our ongoing dedication to developing technologies and processes which support our colleagues and teams to uphold the highest levels of patient care and safety.
“We know the Government is embracing digital innovation as a top priority and I’m proud to see the Trust leading the way in this area.�
Winners will be announced in a ceremony at the ICC in Birmingham on Thursday 26th June.
The Friends of the Hospital of St Cross have launched a £70,000 fundraising appeal to help provide new maternity equipment.
A second ultrasound machine located in Rugby would significantly increase the number of antenatal scans that can be carried out.
At the Friends AGM last September to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its foundation, the charity launched its Platinum Anniversary Appeal.
Purchasing a new ultrasound machine is the first major project that the appeal will support and follows detailed discussions with University Hospitals Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø (UHCW) NHS Trust, who run the site and have ambitious development plans.
UHCW Deputy Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Kara Maitra said: “Latest NHS guidance has increased the number of scans which should take place during pregnancy.
“A second ultrasound machine would support an increase in productivity by having designated ultrasound scans for maternity separate to scans for gynaecology services.�
Over the years the charity has supported major developments at the Hospital of St Cross including the relocation of blood taking services, the opening of the Maple Unit, which delivers intravenous chemotherapy services, and the delivery of equipment for the Rugby Ambulatory Orthopaedic Service through which hip and knee replacement surgery can be undertaken as a day case.
Doug Jones, Chair of the Friends of St Cross, said: “We are delighted to support this project.
“Of course, we could not do everything that we do without the support of the community in the town. So far, we have raised £20,000 towards our target and have no doubt that the announcement of this project will create a lot of interest in supporting the appeal.�
UHCW Chair Sue Noyes added: “The Trust is most grateful for all the support that The Friends provide to the Hospital of St Cross with donations of equipment and their 170-strong team of volunteers.
“I have seen firsthand that they make a tremendous difference for patients and staff and look forward to hearing about the progress of the appeal and some of the other ways in which we can work together as partners in Team UHCW.�
Friends trustees would welcome opportunities to visit community groups and clubs to speak about the work they do. Please email [email protected] to arrange a talk.
A new testing programme aiming to pick up undiagnosed cases of HIV, hepatitis B and C has launched at University Hospitals Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø (UHCW) NHS Trust.
All patients coming through the Emergency Department (ED) who require a blood test will automatically be tested for the infections.
Following the successful introduction of this approach in 34 other EDs nationwide, it is being expanded to a further 47 sites across the UK.
Many people are living with an undiagnosed Blood Borne Virus (BBV). Hepatitis B and C are viruses that affect the liver and HIV impacts the immune system.
UHCW Consultant Virologist Lisa Berry said: “We estimate up to 2,000 patients per month will be screened at the Trust as a result of this expanded programme.
“Early diagnosis of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C is crucial as, for all these infections, it can be years before a person might show any signs or symptoms, by which time, significant damage to their bodies may have already occurred. Our current medications are lifesaving for HIV and hepatitis B, and we can even cure hepatitis C.�
All results are handled in confidence by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals specialising in HIV and hepatitis testing and treatment.
Patients will not need to do anything extra. If they are already having blood tests taken, they will automatically be tested unless they opt out by informing a member of staff.
Results usually take two to three days to be processed, meaning patients will not receive these results on the day they attend ED.
Patients will be contacted if their result is positive, when they will be invited to an urgent clinic for a confirmation test and to discuss possible treatment options.
They will also be informed if something went wrong with the testing process which meant a result was unable to be generated.
Ed Lodge, Clinical Lead in Emergency Medicine at UHCW, said: “We are really pleased that we will be able to offer this testing to our patients.
“From the results in the early trials we know the testing helped to diagnose thousands of people across the country.
“We want to be able to detect as many undiagnosed people as possible, plus medication for all of these conditions also helps to prevent transmission.�
A series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Â are available on this page.Ìý
No Smoking Day on Wednesday 12th March 2025 is the perfect opportunity to take a step towards a healthier, smoke-free life.
People who quit smoking with the help of free Stop Smoking Service are three times more likely to quit for good.
To support this campaign, the Trust has started to install new signage around University Hospital signposting the help available to smokers across Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø. This is in addition to the smoking co-ordinators who are on site to chat and hand out advice.
Allison Duggal, Director of Public Health at Coventry City Council, was a smoker but managed to quit smoking for good.
She said: “I started smoking at a young age and it doesn’t surprise me that eight out of 10 smokers started before they turn 20.
“I managed to stop 21 years ago, but I know it is not an easy process for people. We have lots more work to do to help people through the process of stopping. It’s about managing cravings, withdrawals and the reliance that people have with smoking.
“It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go and set your quit date this No Smoking Day."
When people stop smoking, they will see vast improvements to both their physical and mental health. The benefits can be felt almost immediately after stopping, with your senses of taste and smell improving after only 48 hours. Within eight hours, the levels of harmful carbon monoxide in your blood will have reduced by half.
The benefits of stopping smoking don’t just stop at your health. Smoking is also the biggest cause of accidental fires in the home, often because of people being careless when smoking in bed or not taking care extinguishing their cigarettes properly after drinking alcohol.�
Councillor Margaret Bell, portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health at ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø County Council, added: “This No Smoking Day, we are encouraging smokers to reach out and get support.
“Stopping smoking is an incredibly hard thing to do, which is why residents have access to free, non-judgemental support. There are real benefits to talking with a professional stop smoking adviser.�
People aged 12+ who live, work, or are registered with a GP are entitled to free support. Smokers get access to:
- 12 weeks of free, personalised one-to-one support (face-to-face or virtual) with a specialist stop smoking practitioner.
- Help to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Free/low-cost nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products or Vape Quit Kits (18+ only).
For free stop smoking support, visitâ€� or phone 0800 122 3780 for Coventry services or 0333 005 0092 for ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø services. â€�
A group of 14 intrepid adventurers survived three nights in sub-zero temperatures to raise more than £20,000 for our patients and their families.
Funds raised by participants of the Arctic Challenge will support their chosen departments within University Hospitals Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø (UHCW) NHS Trust, supported by UHCW Charity.
The team, made up of UHCW staff and UHCW Charity supporters, put their survival skills to the test by spending three nights sleeping outside in the Swedish wilderness.
After acclimatising to the cold, they learned how to chop down trees, make fires to boil snow for water and sleep in a tepee, before using tree trunks and branches to build shelters ready for their next night.
The next phase saw them even more exposed to the elements, digging a snow hole to sleep in and braving icy cold temperatures as low as -20C.
“It was really, really hard but also one of the best things I have ever done,� said Dr Amie Burbridge, a Consultant in Acute Medicine.
“Sleeping in a frozen sleeping bag was really tough. The nearest town was miles away but the scenery and sky were beautiful.
“We had a lot of fun; I haven’t laughed as much in years. There was lots of singing and dancing, it really got people out of their shells - and kept us warm at the same time!�
With no access to electricity or running water, the group were pushed both physically and mentally to their limits.
But the determination to make things better for our patients and their families spurred them on during a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
UHCW Charity Director Jo O’Sullivan said: "It was such a great group that really supported each other and everyone pulled together to cope with the freezing overnight temperatures.
"The incredible work of our teams at UHCW save lives every day - I am always bowled over by their hard work and dedication and that kept us going.
“A huge thank you to everyone who took part and to those who sponsored our amazing participants - those donations will have a huge impact.�
Fancy taking on a fundraising challenge? to learn more about UHCW Charity and upcoming events.
Coventry is marking the Covid-19 National Day of Reflection on Sunday 9th March with a large pavement artwork, placed inside the Cathedral Ruins.
It will offer members of the public the opportunity to spend a moment of reflection on the impact of the pandemic on their families, the city, nationally and its devastating effect across the world.
The artwork will provide a beautiful, quiet space for private thoughts and shared experiences.
The installation will be unveiled by Coventry City Council and other invited guests, including representatives from University Hospitals Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø (UHCW) NHS Trust, in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral.
Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, said: “The pandemic affected all communities and residents and, as we always do in this city, we all stood together to support those who suffered at this challenging time.
“As a city we came together to reach out in any way we could to support vulnerable members of our community and anyone who needed help. I’m proud that the city played a leading role in the rollout of the vaccines and the hope and support it provided to people during such a momentous time.�
UHCW NHS Trust was awarded the Freedom of the City by the council in July 2022 as a thank you for the efforts of its staff in supporting Coventry through the pandemic, including delivering the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine in December 2020.
Later in the day, Coventry Cathedral will be conducting a themed Evensong at 4pm.
People are invited to:
- remember and commemorate those who lost their lives since the pandemic began
- reflect on the sacrifices made by many, and on the impact of the pandemic on us all
- pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers and researchers
- appreciate those who volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time
The pavement artwork will be in place for one day with the Cathedral Ruins being open from 10am to 4pm.
Local street artist, Katie O, has been commissioned to produce the artwork which will be secular and reflect the human experience of loss and the city’s role in tackling the pandemic.
She said: "I’m grateful for the opportunity to mark this important day. I hope the artwork speaks to people who lost loved ones, who struggled mentally, and physically, and reminds us we are united through our care and love for others."
Kelly, husband Mike and their two children � plus dog Rufus � are a typical, happy family from Rugby.
However, six-year-old son Oscar has a rare genetic condition shared with only 350 people in the world.
To mark Rare Diseases Day (held each year on the last day of February), Kelly shares their story in a bid to raise awareness and understanding.
My story starts just over six years ago. After a dramatic birth with my son, we took him home from hospital and could not stop staring at him. He really is gorgeous and I was completely smitten with him (this has not changed).
The first few months started normally, we had sleepless nights and hundreds of amazing cuddles. When it came to the six-month mark, I noticed Oscar still wasn't sitting independently compared to other babies. Speaking to professionals they said ‘don't worry it will come, they all develop at different levels�.
Oscar was nine months when he sat, 12 months when he crawled and we never really had the first word. I knew from about nine months that our son was different. Like the saying goes, ‘mom is always right� and on this I knew it.
We had an amazing health visitor who came to see me and Oscar and then everything started to happen from there.
We met with doctors, physios, speech and language and other professionals as Oscar was finding it difficult to learn to walk as he had very flexible joints. We tried everything, all the exercises, even the tight shorts and, of course, all the encouragement in the world.
As always, Oscar wanted to do it when he wanted to and just before his third birthday started taking his first few steps. I cannot tell you the feeling we had as parents as we were told from some professionals that there was no guarantee he would walk.
It was then I knew he would be an absolute inspiration to me. He has changed my outlook on life for the better and I will be forever grateful to him for that.
In January 2023, after numerous tests, we finally had a diagnosis. It was a genetic mutation in one of Oscar's genes called creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) which means he makes creatine but it does not get transported to the brain and we all need creatine in the brain to function.
The lack of creatine is causing the symptoms Oscar has such as delayed speech, autistic traits, delayed development, low muscle tone and intellectual delay.
We are thankful to genome sequencing testing as without this we may never have known, it just shows how far science has come. The care we have had from UHCW and Birmingham Children’s Hospital has been brilliant, I couldn’t fault anything with the NHS.
There is no proven cure for CTD so we continue with all the therapies. The hardest thing is there are not many parents in the same boat as you and this is one of the reasons I want to tell our story, so other parents do not feel how we felt as it can be a lonely place.
We have been told by medical professionals that there is most certainly a higher number of people with CTD but it goes undiagnosed as there is not enough testing. I’m hoping that raising awareness will lead to more research and, maybe one day, a cure.
The care Oscar requires has changed our lives with so many appointments and check-ups. I have reduced my hours in the career I love but family is the most important thing to me and I want to ensure we can do everything we possibly can for him.
I want to raise awareness around CTD and children with disabilities and make it more socially acceptable. When my little angel makes a noise that is not classed as normal, I don’t want others to stare or walk away.
If a child communicates in a different way such as stroking your arm, it’s not because they are strange. It’s just a different way of communication and I hope one day this will become socially normal.
Where we are now is in a good place, Oscar is in amazing specialist school and thriving.
We have settled into our lives, It's very hard at times and challenging, but it's our life and I really wouldn't have it any other way. We are very grateful for the life we live.
A pioneering project at University Hospitals Coventry and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø NHS Trust aimed at developing an app to improve care for heart failure patients has received a huge boost with an innovation award from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
As part of its annual Healthcare Innovation Awards, the BHF has awarded nearly £230,000 to a team led by consultant cardiologist Dr Michael Kuehl.
Dr Kuehl and the Innovation team at UHCW NHS Trust are developing an innovative tool to help healthcare professionals make informed medication decisions for their patients. The tool uses key patient data, including blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and potential side effects, to generate personalised medication recommendations. The long-term vision is to turn the tool into a user-friendly smartphone app, named 'Apptitrator,' which will empower patients to manage their symptoms and receive better personalised care.
The app has massive potential as more than one million people in the UK have heart failure. Over half of these people have reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), a condition where the heart’s pumping ability is below normal and could lead to cardiac arrest.
Patients are usually started on a low dose of treatment for heart failure which is gradually increased (or up-titrated) as necessary. While increasing the dosage faster is associated with reduced symptoms and better outcomes, it still needs support from specialist heart failure clinicians, which in some areas of the country is limited.
Dr Kuehl said: “Medication for heart failure has been shown to improve outcomes, increase life expectancy and make patients feel better. But the treatment is becoming more and more complex, with several types of tablets available.
“We have developed an algorithm that records data from patients which can be used to suggest a medication treatment decision and dosage. This would give healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, GPs, pharmacists and advanced care practitioners, more confidence in their use of the medication.
“We will use the BHF funding to test the safety and accuracy of the algorithm and then translate it into the app. I hope we will be able to launch Apptitrator within two years and see how it does in the real world as part of a research trial.�
The app would directly address the challenges faced by heart failure patients who in focus group discussions run by the team have expressed frustration with the lengthy process of medication optimisation and limited communication about side effects of the treatment.
In focus groups, nurses also recognised the potential benefits of digital health solutions and believe it could help with medication ‘up-titration�. They believe a tool such as this would help them keep up to date with changes in medication and improve the consistency of care for patients.
UHCW NHS Trust’s Apptitrator project is among four ambitious initiatives to receive a total of £900,000 in funding under the BHF’s Healthcare Innovation Awards which aim to help clinicians explore new and innovative ways to improve healthcare for heart patients.
Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the BHF, said: “These four pioneering projects showcase how we can harness technology to improve care for patients with cardiovascular disease. They will provide new insights in how to deliver the very best care for heart patients.�
Photo caption: Dr Michael Kuehl, cardiology consultant, with Emily Lucas, Innovation Facilitator
Amazing attributes demonstrated by two of our staff have seen them crowned our first Making a Difference Award winners.
Midwife Amy Gill and Ward Clerk Claire Woon are both January winners, with one more presentation of certificates and chocolates to follow.
Independent staff judging panels judge submissions against each of the Trust values � learn, improve, compassion, openness, pride, respect and partnership.
Claire was nominated for the pride she shows in her job on Cedar Ward at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby.
Her nomination read: “Hard to choose just one value as Claire demonstrates all of them.
“I don't think she realises what a difference she makes and how the ward now runs better because she is the lynchpin holding it together, having a handle on everything going on.
“She is a shining example of pride in action and fully deserves to be recognised for the difference she has made.�
Amy was put forward for the way she works in partnership with new mothers and often comes in on days off to check they are OK.
“She is a world class midwife and deserves so much recognition for the hard work she does,� her nomination read.
“A lot of women in the Pre-term Prevention Clinic end up on long periods of bed rest which can be uncomfortable and boring.
“Amy has gone out of her way to create a Care Plan specifically to ensure they get the best care without being disturbed more than they need to be. She takes immense pride in the work she does and makes sure patients keep their dignity.�
The Making a Difference Awards, sponsored by UHCW Charity, sit alongside other recognition schemes such as appreciation cards, Service Awards, the DAISY Awards for midwives and nurses and the annual Outstanding Service and Care Awards (OSCAs).
Anyone is able to submit an entry thanking individuals or teams � whether clinical, non-clinical or from our support services � who demonstrated enthusiasm, expertise and empathy to deliver the highest standards of care.
To nominate a staff member for a Making a Difference Award, click here