Wye Valley NHS Trust

Skin to skin Extensive research tells us the many benefits of skin to skin immediately after baby is born. It helps to regulate baby’s heartrate, breathing and temperature, reduces their stress levels, aids with their first feed, as well as enhancing your milk supply.   It has also been shown to have beneficial effects for the mother if they have experienced a traumatic birth.    A minimum of an hour skin to skin and offering baby their first feed during this time can help to realise these benefits.  However, there is no limit, as baby grows, skin to skin can…

Emergency Department (A&E) at Hereford County Hospital

Welcome to Wye Valley NHS Trust outpatient services. We aim to provide a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our family, and our friends. Outpatients refer to those who have an appointment in a hospital or clinic but do not need to stay overnight. Such appointments could be for treatment, diagnosis or a procedure. Outpatient clinics and appointments are held at various locations across our hospitals and community sites, including at Hereford County Hospital, Ross, Leominster and Bromyard Community Hospitals, and community clinics. View the map for Hereford County Hospital. Please find below information to help prepare you for…

There are many ways to help. However much time you are able to give, there will be a role to suit you. There are opportunities at the County Hospital site in Hereford, the community hospitals in Leominster, Bromyard and Ross-on-Wye, and also from home. Usual volunteer hours are Monday to Friday, either in the morning or afternoon.  We do, however, also have some weekend and evening roles available too. The volunteer roles we are currently recruiting for are listed below. Volunteer-Led Patient Contact Centre This is an exciting new initiative to improve communication with patients.   You will be part of…

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…

Your perineum Your perineum is the tissue between your vagina and your anus.  During birth you can experience perineal trauma/tearing.  This can be classified into four degrees of severity: 1st degree – these only affect the skin, they usually do not require any repair and heal quickly on their own. 2nd degree – these affect the skin and the perineal muscle layer, repair is usually needed. 3rd and 4th degree – 3.5% of women will experience a more substantial tear which involves the muscle that controls the anus. This degree of tear will need to be repaired in theatre. Episiotomy…

  Safeguarding adults (7/5/25) Safeguarding adults - means protecting the most vulnerable from abuse and neglect.  Find out more and how to report adult safeguarding concerns.  All adults have the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Adults have a legal right to make their own decisions, even if they are unwise, as long as they have capacity to make that decision and are free from coercion or undue influence. Abuse and neglect can take many forms. It may be an isolated incident, a series of incidents or a long term pattern of behaviour and could affect…

Coronavirus Public Health England advice Coronavirus advice  To protect our patients, visitors and staff we have implemented a zero tolerance approach to Health Care Associated Infections. Our key role is to monitor healthcare associated infection, we educate our staff, and raise awareness of infection control with our patients, visitors and the public, ensure policies are up to date and based on the best evidence; we undertake audits; and manage outbreaks. The team consists of a consultant microbiologist, a lead infection prevention nurse and four infection prevention nurses. The team is represented at the Trust Board by the Director of Nursing.…

Ross Hospital check for Visiting restrictions information   About our hospital  Patients who require a period of rehabilitation at a community hospital will need to have an assessment undertaken of the support they will need during their stay. This assessment will consider which facility in Herefordshire can best meet their needs. The Community Hospital is a modern, well designed building in the popular market town of Ross-on-Wye. It is staffed by dedicated professionals who are committed to providing quality care based on the needs of each patient. As well as the Nursing staff, there are teams of professional staff such as Physiotherapists and Occupational…

Leominster Community Hospital - Visiting restrictions  information Patients who require a period of rehabilitation at a community hospital will need to have an assessment undertaken of the support they will need during their stay. This assessment will consider facility in Herefordshire can best meet their needs. There are two wards at Leominster Community hospital, Minster and Eaton. These are split into smaller rooms of single or five bedded bays, all single gender. Please remember, there are NO A&E facilities at Leominster Community Hospital. If you need treatment for a non-serious injury/health condition, contact NHS111, speak to your GP or visit your local pharmacy…