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 - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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…

Most pregnancies will only require care from a midwife and sometimes an obstetrician.  Very occasionally we may identify a concern with your baby’s growth or development that requires input from a specialist fetal medicine consultant. At Hereford County Hospital we do not have this facility on site. It is therefore, at times, necessary to refer you to another hospital.  In most cases this will be to Worcester Royal Hospital, but occasionally can be to Birmingham Women’s Hospital. The referral will be explained and completed by one of the antenatal screening midwives and is sent via email to the appropriate hospital…

Some babies will be offered additional care or observations after birth, this is called transitional care. If you have needed to take Labetalol for high blood pressure in pregnancy If you had gestational diabetes If your waters had been broken for more than 24 hours If it was thought you might have developed an infection during labour If your baby was a low birthweight If your baby was born before 37 weeks If you had meconium stained liquor during labour If your baby is jaundiced and receiving phototherapy If you have taken drugs in pregnancy If you had known Group…