The Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) is a clinic, which assesses women in early pregnancy who have bleeding or pain (up to 18 weeks of pregnancy).  It is located on the second floor of Hereford County Hospital, within the women's health department. Your GP or Accident and Emergency doctor will arrange your appointment for you. We aim to diagnose your problem, offer advice, support and any treatment which may be needed. If you do not already have an appointment a member of the team will ring you with a date and time. We aim to see you within 2 working days.…

The Pathology Laboratory at Wye Valley NHS Trust is located to the right of the main entrance of the County Hospital in Hereford. The Pathology Laboratory provides a full range of pathology investigations for Herefordshire and some areas in Powys. Samples originate from the County Hospital, General Practice surgeries and the Community Hospitals. The laboratory has electronic links with all locations to ensure speedy and accurate return of results. Pathology handbook Our full test repertoire and information for users and patients can be found in the Wye Valley NHS Trust’s Pathology Handbook The above link is for the controlled version…

Coronavirus Public Health England advice Coronavirus advice  To protect our patients, visitors and staff we have implemented a zero tolerance approach to Health Care Associated Infections. Our key role is to monitor healthcare associated infection, we educate our staff, and raise awareness of infection control with our patients, visitors and the public, ensure policies are up to date and based on the best evidence; we undertake audits; and manage outbreaks. The team consists of a consultant microbiologist, a lead infection prevention nurse and four infection prevention nurses. The team is represented at the Trust Board by the Director of Nursing.…

Herefordshire community falls prevention service is a free service for older people who have fallen, are at risk of or are worried about falling, or have concerns about their balance. Who is the service for? The service is for people who have had falls or stumbles, who feel they are at risk of falls, or who have lost confidence and are afraid of falling. How can we help you? The Falls Prevention Service can help you to: Identify the cause of falls Prevent further falls Improve strength, balance, mobility and dizziness  Regain confidence Maintain independence How can I access the…

What is an aneurysm? The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. It runs from the heart down through the chest and abdomen. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak. It can then start to expand and form what is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, also known as an AAA or 'triple A'. The condition is most common among men aged 65 and over. Large aneurysms are rare but can be very serious. As the wall of the aorta stretches it becomes weaker and…

Service Overview The service aims to actively promote bladder and bowel continence.  We are able to identify and assess patients, give advice and best management for their incontinence needs, helping to improve their quality of life.  The service provides clinical assessment, advice and support for patients and their families.  We work closely with GPs, district nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, the dementia team, mental health, social services and care agencies to ensure a seamless service is provided.  We provide teaching to health and social care professionals.  Accessibility/Acceptability The service is offered to people four years and older who are registered with…

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…

Gestational diabetes If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is because it has been found that you have a higher than normal level of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream. It is called gestational diabetes because it has been found whilst you are pregnant.  In a small amount of cases, it may be that a woman has undiagnosed diabetes, not caused by pregnancy.  The only way to know this is after your baby is born.  If your blood glucose remains high or uncontrolled postnatally then it is likely you have type 2 diabetes, your GP will check this at…

Job Title: Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon Qualifications Mr Oakley studied Medicine at Glasgow University, graduating in 1991. His specialist registrar training was on the Northern Regional Orthopaedic Training Programme whilst living in Durham. In 2001, he passed his FRCS (Tr & Orth) and completed an Arthroplasty Fellowship at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, and a Trauma fellowship in Denver, Colorado, USA. He returned, as a Consultant, to Hereford in 2003. Research interests include hip and knee replacement, and arthroscopic knee surgery. Research papers on: Day Surgery Hernias (BJS) DVT Prophylaxis (BMJ) Hip Fractures (Injury) Fixation of Clavicle Fractures (EFFORT)…

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…