Systemic-Anti Cancer Pre-Treatment information and video for patients

The County Hospital children's ward has been transformed into a colourful magical wonderland thanks to a local artist. Nurses on the children's ward, inspired by the work of local artist, Tom Roberts, fundraised for the design of a mural, to create a welcoming, familiar, and colourful environment for the children they care for. The beautiful mural meanders through the corridors, playroom, treatment rooms and patient bays and gives a brighter outlook for the children, parents and staff. The mural gives the children a focal point to help distract them when having procedures, and helps aid their recovery by creating a…

Always check over-the-counter medications for possible interactions with prescribed drugs. Simple painkillers such as Paracetamol are usually safe, providing you do not exceed the maximum recommended dose and ensure that none of your prescribed drugs also contain Paracetamol, since this could result in accidental overdose. Do not take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Nurofen/Ibuprofen if you are already taking prescribed NSAIDs. Avoid NSAIDs if you have previously suffered any adverse effects or have a history of gastritis or stomach ulcers. Also avoid NSAIDs if you are asthmatic, have high blood pressure or take anti-coagulation medications, unless your GP or Rheumatology team advises you to take them.

DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) Biologics JAK-inhibitors Azathioprine Abatacept Baricitinib Ciclosporin Adalimumab Filgotinib Hydroxychloroquine Anakinra Tofacitinib Leflunomide Apremilast Upadacitinib Methotrexate Belimumab   Mycophenolate Certolizumab pegol Sulfasalazine Etanercept Tacrolimus Golimumab   Infliximab Ixekizumab Rituximab Sarilumab Secukinumab Tocilizumab Ustekinumab Please note that some of these treatments have multiple brand names.

DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) Biologics JAK-inhibitors Azathioprine Abatacept Baricitinib Ciclosporin Adalimumab Filgotinib Leflunomide Anakinra Tofacitinib Methotrexate Apremilast Upadacitinib Mycophenolate Belimumab   Tacrolimus Certolizumab pegol   Etanercept Golimumab Infliximab Ixekizumab Rituximab Sarilumab Secukinumab Tocilizumab Ustekinumab Please note that some of these treatments have multiple brand names.

When you have your pregnancy booking appointment your midwife will ask to take some blood samples, one of these will be to find out your blood group.  It will determine whether you are a positive or negative blood group.  If it is found that you have a negative blood group you will be offered Anti-D at different points in your pregnancy.  Anti D is derived from plasma collected from donors, it is a concentrated form of antibodies. A new test is now offered to all women who are Rhesus Negative at 16 weeks gestation.  The blood test will determine whether…

You should take a lateral flow test if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if your symptoms are mild. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, please follow the guidelines on the NHS 111 website and temporarily stop taking your Rheumatology medication (see table below), EXCEPT for steroids (Prednisolone), Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine,until you are fully recovered. This advice applies for any infection. You may be eligible to receive anti-viral medication against COVID-19 If your test is positive, you must report your result athttps://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result  or by calling 119. Your local health board will contact you to arrange a telephone appointment with a healthcare professional who will decide whether…

Inflammatory arthritis activity can vary and there will be times when it is manageable and other times when you may experience flare-ups. A flare-up of your inflammatory arthritis may include symptoms such as worsening of joint pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue and general “unwell” feeling. Flare-ups are unpredictable and can start suddenly or after an illness such as a chest or urinary infection or a stressful period (physical or mental). Triggers may not always be identifiable. You must seek urgent medical attention if you have a joint that becomes red, hot, swollen, and painful and a fever, as this may suggest…

About the Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) team The Upper GI (Gastrointestinal) Service at Hereford County Hospital is made up of a skilled and supportive team, including surgeons, specialist nurses, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, and oncologists. Together, we assess and treat conditions affecting the upper part of your digestive system, including your oesophagus (gullet), stomach, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver. We provide care for a wide range of non-cancerous (benign) conditions, such as gallstones, acid reflux, and hernias. If a more serious (cancerous) condition is suspected, we will arrange the appropriate investigations and refer you to our specialist cancer team (Upper GI Cancer…