Wye Valley NHS Trust

We encourage all patients to take an active role in their care, and we want to make sure your follow up appointments work better for you. We know that attending appointments can be time consuming, costly and cause worry. We are learning from you that follow up appointments are not always useful or needed. Now, you and your healthcare professional can work together to decide the best option for you, this may include: No follow up appointment at all. A follow up appointment for an agreed date, for example in six months.- Follow up appointments may be at the hospital,…

  All patients are given verbal advice on self-care at initial assessment and this is followed up with written information. Information is reiterated at follow-up appointments. Carers often attend with the most vulnerable and we include them in the discussions where appropriate. Patients and carers can often manage simple foot care if shown how to use nail nippers or a good nail file effectively. We advise on where to obtain the appropriate equipment. We also advise on appropriate footwear again giving advice on where to obtain suitable accommodating footwear e.g. for oedematous feet. A range of information leaflets are available…

When your baby is born they are still receiving oxygen and blood through the umbilical cord and placenta to allow a smooth transition into life outside of the womb. At any one time, a third of a baby’s blood volume is in their placenta. Therefore it is recommended that the cord is left unclamped until baby has received all of their blood. If the cord is left until it has stopped pulsating, baby can benefit from increased iron, oxygen and weight gain.Delayed cord clamping is now routinely practised. This is when the cord is left for at least one minute…

This page is specifically for Children and Young People and their parents and carers.  Below you will find a list of leaflets, resources and advice that you may find useful.   Sensory workshop workbook You may find this workbook useful when creating strategies for your child or young person. Sensory workshop workbook   Bathing Skills Bath time Visual aid for bath routine - boys Visual aid for bath routine - girls   Examples from workshops Examples of applying this knowledge to everyday activities   Feeding skills Feeding skills leaflet Meal times    Hair and nail care skills Hair care Nail…

The pre-operative assessment unit is situated at the back of the hospital which is clearly sign posted from the main entrance.  It is approximately a 5-10 minute walk from the main entrance but if you require assistance or a wheelchair please ask at the hospital main reception. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that you are medically fit for surgery.  It also gives you an opportunity to ask questions you may have or discuss any concerns. You will be seen by an experienced pre op assessment nurse, who will ask you a range of questions about your medical…

Victoria Eye Unit at The County Hospital The Victoria Eye Unit offers a wide range of ophthalmic services, covering all areas of general ophthalmology, including cataract surgery. Specialist Clinics We provide specialised clinics for: Glaucoma Retinal and Macular Disorders (including Vitreoretinal surgery) Squint (in both adults and children) Paediatric Ophthalmology Thyroid Eye Disease Eyelid Disorders Inflammatory eye disease Cornea and external disease The department is equipped with state-of-the-art digital photographic and laser imaging equipment, all connected throughout the hospital. Eye Unit – Emergencies If you have an urgent eye problem, follow the guidance below: Call an Optometrist from the lists below,…

Skin to skin Extensive research tells us the many benefits of skin to skin immediately after baby is born. It helps to regulate baby’s heartrate, breathing and temperature, reduces their stress levels, aids with their first feed, as well as enhancing your milk supply.   It has also been shown to have beneficial effects for the mother if they have experienced a traumatic birth.    A minimum of an hour skin to skin and offering baby their first feed during this time can help to realise these benefits.  However, there is no limit, as baby grows, skin to skin can…

Before labour starts, the neck of the womb (cervix) is long, firm and closed. Even before labour begins, the cervix can be drawn up and gets thinner.  The ‘latent’ phase of labour is the very first part of your labour – the early part of first stage. During the ‘latent’ phase the neck of the womb thins and opens up to about 3 to 4 cm.  The latent phase can last several days or weeks before active labour starts. This is normal. Some women have bouts of contractions lasting a few hours, which then stop and start again later or…

Back to Orthopaedics This is a busy department lead by Tina Brown SEN. Tina has over 10 years casting experience. Patients are referred to plaster room from A&E, fracture clinic, occasionally on the wards and theatre. Many different types of casts are modified, applied and removed. They are made from a variety of different materials ranging from plaster of Paris to fibreglass, plastic and thermoplastics. There are different colours to choose from too! Staff: Mrs Tina Brown SEN and Orthopaedic Technician (British Casting certificate) Mrs Katie Taylor-Edwards RGN The numbers of procedures carried out each year have gradually increased from…