Wye Valley NHS Trust

Emergency Department (A&E) at Hereford County Hospital

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive and fluctuating neurological condition affecting movement such as walking, swallowing, and writing. It is also recognised that there are non motor symptoms which also require complex management. The symptoms and nature of PD vary from person to person and the severity of symptoms fluctuates. Referral Criteria are very wide, as the term Parkinsonism covers the following conditions: Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Cerebral Vascular Parkinsonism Drug Induced Parkinsonism Parkinson's Plus syndromes Lewy Body Dementia and other more rare syndromes Generally Parkinsonism is a long term condition and does not require urgent intervention. Normal response time is…

Colorectal Surgery at The County Hospital is provided by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and specialist nurses.  Outpatient assessment, investigation, treatment and follow-up are provided for all colorectal surgical conditions, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel conditions (crohns’ disease and ulcerative colitis), functional bowel disorders (constipation and incontinence) and anorectal conditions (fistula-in-ano, fissures, haemorrhoids etc.).  Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) colorectal surgery is well developed, and enhanced recovery is provided by a dedicated team of doctors, physiotherapists, dieticians, specialist and ward nurses and other staff.  Colorectal surgical patients are admitted to Frome ward and Primrose Unit (Elective). Day case…

Visiting arrangements - updated - 06/01/2026 Please see below the current visiting arrangements at Wye Valley NHS Trust. Children and young people are welcome, although it is sensible to avoid bringing very young children into hospitals where possible and this needs to be discussed with ward staff in advance. Protected meal times All non-urgent clinical activity stops during mealtimes to allow patients to eat their meals in a calm and relaxing environment without unnecessary interruption. Please avoid visiting at mealtimes, unless you would like to help your relative or friend with their meal.  Guidance on the use of mobile phone and others device…

Regular exercise is recommended for everyone, not just people with inflammatory joint disease. Exercise can help reduce your risk of many conditions, including heart disease and many forms of cancer. It is helpful to do a mixture of aerobic, stretching and strengthening exercises. Exercising regularly can help relieve stress, help keep your joints mobile, and strengthen the muscles supporting your joints. Exercise can also help you lose weight if you're overweight, which can put extra strain on your joints. It is important to find a balance between rest and exercise. Rest sometimes makes inflamed joints feel more comfortable, but without movement…

When dealing with a chronic health condition or the management of persistent pain it is best to consult with a physiotherapist to find the best exercises that work for you. Persistent pain (over three months) should not be treated the same way as acute pain. Staying active and mobile Keeping active maintains fitness and improves physical and mental well-being, both of which are of critical importance in the management of pain.   An excellent resource by ‘HealthTalk’ challenges some of the myths related to pain and exercise. It includes videos and shared experiences of those living with persistent pain. Also,…

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…

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…

Labour can be categorised into the latent phase of labour and the active/established stage. The pain relief options will be slightly different for each stage. The Latent Phase This is the early phase of labour where your cervix will be softening and getting ready for established labour.  You may experience some period type discomfort and irregular tightening’s, the sensations you feel will most likely be in your lower abdomen and lower back as your cervix softens. For this stage of labour, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself feel more comfortable: Use a hot water bottle…

We've created a portal for patients which brings together all the important information and leaflets that you need in one place.   What is the patient portal? The new patient portal is an online platform that allows patients to access information about their healthcare, securely via their chosen device e.g. laptop/phone/tablet. View a video about the portal by clicking here   What information/facility is available via the portal? The patient portal provides a convenient way for patients to view; Outpatient appointment details Maxims appointment letters and associated leaflets Clinical letters Relevant point of contact – telephone contact for each service…