Wye Valley NHS Trust

Pregnancy, labour, birth and having a baby can bring a huge range of emotions to both you and your partner. Although you will have lots of positive feelings while you build a relationship with your baby, you may feel overwhelmed, exhausted and a loss of freedom and/or identity. It is important to realise that these feelings are normal while you adjust to being a parent. However, if these feelings are all-encompassing and you feel that it is affecting your daily life then it may be worth seeking some support. This section outlines the different types of mental health difficutlies that…

Comfort measures in labour and birth

Parents are welcome on the unit throughout the day/night.   Siblings are welcome to join their parents on the unit between the hours of 08:00 and 20:00. Grandparents Monday to Friday 13:00 and 19:00.  Grandparents and other Family Members – 13:00-19:00 Saturdays and Sundays ONLY No visitors are permitted without the parents being present on the unit. No children under the age of 16, other than siblings of the baby are permitted on the unit. No more than three people to a cotside (including a parent). Please do not visit if you feel unwell or have been unwell in the last…

Stacey joined WVT pharmacy at the start of the first lockdown, back in April 2020 as an ATO and came to this role with no previous experience in a pharmacy setting. My name is Stacey and I work in pharmacy, with my current role being Lead ATO (Assistant Technical Officer) for Patient Services. I joined WVT pharmacy at the start of the first lockdown, back in April 2020 as an ATO and came to this role with no previous experience in a pharmacy setting – I actually came from a well-known coffee shop. I was initially attracted to the job that brought me to…

On the 5th day day and before the 8th day, we offer a screening test (Blood Spot Screening) that will look at congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell and thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis and an array of metabolic disorders. If left undetected all conditions could have a detrimental effect to a baby’s morbidity and mortality with the most common effect being developmental delay. The test involves taking a small sample of blood from your baby’s heal, the technique is straightforward, however, the standards for collecting the four blood spots is very exacting. We will offer advice on how to prepare your baby before…

Pulse oximetry Once baby is born they will be offered pulse oximetry to screen for possible heart problems. This is a quick test where their oxygen levels in their blood is measured on their right hand and any foot.  If the results are not normal then they will be referred to the paediatrician for further investigations. Hearing screening Hearing screening will also be offered. If you aren’t having an early discharge after birth then this will usually happen on the maternity ward, otherwise you will be sent a letter with an appointment within four weeks.  Newborn and Infant Examination (NIPE)…

Back to Cardiac Services Hereford Cardiology Unit (also known as Heart & Lung) is based in the Oxford Suite at Hereford Hospitals. The team comprises of a mixture of specialities from clinical cardiac physiology, nursing and medicine.  The Unit conducts a variety of clinics and carry out a number of diagnostic tests for a wide range of cardiac conditions: Electrocardiography (ECG) – a recording of the heart electrical activity which is helpful in diagnosing various conditions Echocardiography – a detailed examination using ultrasound that enables the valves and chambers of the heart to be viewed in detail Walking monitoring where we use a…

Everyone needs some fat to stay healthy. But too much fat, particularly around the waist, puts your heart at risk. Being overweight can lead to conditions such high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, that increase you risk of heart and circulatory problems. Use the resources below to help you understand your weight and shape, with the aid of two tools, Body Mass Index (BMI) and your waist circumference. If they indicate that you are overweight and / or at increased risk, don’t panic, making simple changes to your lifestyle can help you lose weight. Managing your weight Understanding your…

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood. It's produced naturally in the liver. Everyone has cholesterol. We need it to stay healthy because every cell in our body uses it. Some of this cholesterol comes from the food we eat. High cholesterol is when you have too much cholesterol in your blood. This can increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases because it sticks to the walls of your arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. High cholesterol can be caused by many different things, some we can control, and others we can’t. Lifestyle habits…

Support available in Herefordshire while waiting for your appointment Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)  Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Herefordshire Council - Being a parent Herefordshire Council - Parenting groups and courses BBC Tiny Happy People - BBC information, resources and ideas for activities for children Autism West Midlands - Autism West Midlands resources, including links for Herefordshire based initiatives Herefordshire council - Early Help - Early Help and support for families in Herefordshire  Useful information to support Chronic Fatigue Royal College of Occupational Therapists - How to manage your energy levels The ME Association - WHAT IS ME/CFS?  NHS…