Sleep is often viewed as one of the top 3 issues for people we see at the pain self-management service, and because sleep is so necessary to our health and general well-being it makes it a high priority in establishing the best quality of sleep possible. Click on the links below for helpful information The 4 basics  How to sleep well with pain Getting a good night's sleep Sleep problems guide The 4 basics Below is a very simple and quick outline on four basic principles that help with sleep. Get a Routine and Relax A ‘winding down’ routine can…

Reasons you may be offered an induction of labour  The following circumstances in pregnancy may result in an induction of labour being offered to you: Post-dates pregnancy Advanced maternal age (40 years of age or more) Suspected big baby Suspected small baby Diabetes Pre-eclampsia Reduced fetal movements IVF If your waters break before tightenings start Obstetric Cholestasis Skip to the factsheet that is relevant to you, so you can start to make a fully informed decision on whether you would like an induction of labour.  Post-dates pregnancy A term pregnancy is classed as anything between 37 and 42 weeks. The…

Russell Hardy MBE, chair Russell Hardy MBE became chair of Wye Valley NHS Trust in November 2016. He is also the Chair of South Warwickshire NHS FT’s Board and Council of Governors, having taken on the roles in 2015. Russell has a wealth of experience from working in both NHS trusts and private companies, with a firm understanding of working in large organisations and overseeing strategic developments. Russell also chairs the Remuneration and terms of service committee. Glen Burley, chief executive for the Foundation Group In April 2025, Glen's role changed to chief executive for the Foundation Group.  Prior to…

What is it? Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a supervised programme of exercise and education, designed for the treatment of people with a long-term lung condition who are troubled by breathlessness.  Who is it for? If you have any of the following conditions you may benefit from Pulmonary Rehabilitation: • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) • Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) • Bronchiectasis Who and where we are we? The Pulmonary Rehabilitation services within Wye Valley NHS trust is run by the Physiotherapy team who deliver the Pulmonary Rehab programme to patients throughout Herefordshire.  It is currently based off site at Hinton…

Aromatherapy is a great way to individualise your birth environment and to help you feel more relaxed.  Relaxation is key in labour, as this can help you release more oxytocin - the love hormone which helps labour progression. The use of aromatherapy in labour and birth has been found to reduce the need for stronger forms of pain relief. One study found that the need for opioid pain relief reduced from 6% down to 0.4% (Burns et al, 2000). Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that uses essential oils, derived from plants, for their therapeutic benefit.  The benefits are wide-ranging and…

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,…

Occupational therapy provides practical support to empower people to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the activities (or occupations) that matter to them. This support increases people's independence and satisfaction in all aspects of life. "Occupation" as a term refers to practical and purposeful activities that allow people to live independently and have a sense of identity. This could be essential day-to-day tasks such as self-care, work or leisure. Occupational therapists play a critical role in helping people of all ages overcome the effects of disability caused by illness, ageing or accident so that they can carry…

Physiotherapists identify and maximise movement potential through health promotion, preventative healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy is an autonomous profession and practice is characterised by reflective behaviour and systematic clinical reasoning, both contributing to and underpinning a problem solving approach to patient centred care. Your Physiotherapist will: Assess current levels of function Identify treatment aims Devise and offer a treatment plan Liaise with and signpost to other professions where necessary Treat a wide spectrum of conditions including musculoskeletal, neurological, rheumatology, paediatrics, mental health, respiratory, palliative care and orthopaedic conditions. Accessibility / Acceptability Physiotherapy services can be accessed by all service users…

About the service Our health visiting teams work with families, early years, health colleagues and other agencies to support the health and wellbeing of pre-school children across Herefordshire. Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives who have additional training in specialist community and public health nursing. They have specialist training in children's development and health promotion. The health visiting teams comprise health visitors, community staff nurses, and community nursery nurses. As a service, we are committed to supporting the training of students, so students may accompany us during visits. If you would prefer for a student not to be present,…

Eating a healthy diet and being physically active are especially important in pregnancy as your unborn baby has to get everything it needs to grow and develop from its mother. If your weight is higher or lower than the healthy range when you become pregnant, it can affect your pregnancy as well as your general health. What is a healthy weight? We use your height and weight to work out your body mass index (BMI). BMI Healthy range 18.5 to 25 Underweight less than 18.5 Overweight 25 to 30 Obese 30 and above During pregnancy there is a greater chance…