The Neurophysiology department at The County Hospital provides a comprehensive neurophysiology diagnostic service to both inpatients and outpatients. Investigations include EEG (Electroencephalogram), Ambulatory EEG, Multiple Sleep Latency Testing and Evoked Responses. The service also provides physiologist and consultant led nerve conduction studies and consultant only electromyography (EMG). We accept GP referrals for most of our investigations.  All GP referrals can now be made via the NHS e-referral system. The department consists of a Service Manager, Consultant Neurophysiologist, 2 Clinical Physiologists, a Medical Secretary and an Administrative Assistant. Links with other Services The department works closely with the neurology, paediatric and…

Health chiefs in England are encouraging parents to be aware of the signs of respiratory illnesses in young children, as data from Public Health England (PHE) shows cases are starting to rise in parts of the country. Respiratory illnesses, including colds and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are very common in young children and we see them every year. Last winter, due to the various restrictions in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, there were far fewer infections in younger people. This means many will not have developed immunity and so we may see more cases this year than in…

At Wye Valley NHS Trust we provide the following diagnostic tests: 1. Multi-night overnight oximetry – This involves wearing a watch-like monitor on a finger during sleep and is done at home. It is collected from the sleep clinic, worn overnight over a minimum of two consecutive nights and then returned for a recording of your night's sleep to be downloaded. 2. Limited Channel Sleep study – This is a slightly more in-depth test. It involves attending the sleep clinic for a ‘fitting’ session and then the equipment. This is worn overnight at home and returned the next day. It…

If you have a flare-up of your Rheumatology symptoms and need advice, follow the steps below and we will help you: 1.     Contact the Rheumatology department: 01432 36 4020 orrheumatology.patient@nhs.net 2.     Leave a voicemail message and include following details: Your full name and date of birth Your hospital number and/or NHS number (if known) Explain that you are having a flare-up and need some clinical advice Please make sure you say you are on PIFU pathway 3.     The team will review your concerns and decide if you need a telephone or face-to-face appointment. 4.     If the team thinks you need…

The first step is to get in touch with the Voluntary Services team. We will chat to you about volunteering and the areas you may be interested in supporting.

The Intensive Therapy Unit has six beds and provides both High Dependency (level 2) and Intensive Care (Level 3). We are able to provide all forms of multi-organ support for critically ill patients. We provide an Outreach service, staffed by experienced critical care nurses. This allows early intervention in critically ill patients, ward staff education and ITU patient follow-up. We are part of the Birmingham and Black Country Critical Network and submit data to the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC). This ensures that we regularly review the outcome of our patients and ensures the provision of a…

Parking, disabled people

Some of the drugs used to treat inflammatory arthritis can harm an unborn baby. We recommend that you speak with us if you are planning to become pregnant or father a child.   Your treatment may need to be changed before you stop using contraception.   If you have an unplanned pregnancy and are stopping or have recently stopped taking regular medication for your arthritis, please contact us as soon as possible.   Useful links: VERSUS ARTHRITIS – Pregnancy and Arthritis https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/22936/pregnancy-and-arthritis-information-booklet.pdf VERSUS ARTHRITIS – New pregnancy guidelines launched by the British Society for Rheumatology https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/healthcare-professionals/professional-network-and-clinical-updates/network-news/december-2022-network-news/new-pregnancy-guidelines-by-the-british-society-for-rheumatology/ BSR – 2 updated guidelines for prescribing rheumatology drugs during pregnancy and…

What you choose to put in your body really affects how you feel and how healthy you are. Eating the right sort of foods in the right amount is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. Eating unhealthily can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes. These conditions can increase the risk of heart and circulatory problems. There are lots of resources available to support you to understand a healthy approach to food and how to get into good eating habits that will help look after your heart health.…

When you have diabetes, you’re more at risk of heart and circulatory disease. And poor circulation makes other diabetes complications worse-like problems with your eyes and feet. That’s why it’s even more important to take good care of your heart when you have diabetes. If you have high blood sugar levels for a period of time, even slightly high, your arteries can start to get damaged, and make them more likely to develop fatty deposits (atheroma). If atheroma builds up in your coronary arteries, this can lead to a heart attack. To help protect yourself, get your HbA1c, blood pressure…