A comprehensive guide Induction of labour (IOL) is the attempt to bring on labour when a woman is not showing any signs of being in labour, it is now a commonly used intervention, with 1 in 3 women experiencing it.  As with any intervention offered in pregnancy and birth, you, as the mother have the option to accept or decline. In order to make that decision you will need up-to-date, evidence-based information about that topic. We want all women to have the same information and to empower you to make the right decision for you, your baby and your family.…

Clostridium difficile infection Patient information Clostridium difficile is a type of bacteria (bug) which lives in the large intestine (part of the gut).

Melissa Mayo - Operational Support Officer – Referral Management Centre Typical day for myself would be supporting the day to day running of the RMC and our staff. We have approx. 35 staff within our department with a mixture of clinic clerks and coordinators for a vast range of services within WVT. My main role is to ensure the smooth running of the RMC each day – From workloads, short notice support, processes and also validation into our services PTL’s (2ww, urgent and routine). Having joined the trust in 2016 as a clinic clerk in the RMC, I was always inspired…

COVID-19 Osteoporasis information for public   What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is the term used to describe bones when they become ‘porous’, when the struts which make up the mesh-like structure within bone start to disappear. This leads to a reduction in bone strength and an increased risk of fracture after injuries such as a low impact fall. These broken bones or ‘fragility fractures’ can occur in different parts of the body, although the wrist, hip and spine are most commonly affected. Osteoporosis is thought to affect 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men during their lifetime. It is…

Emergency Department - waiting times Waiting times for our Emergency Department (ED) are available on our ED website page. Referral to treatment - waiting times We have put a number of measures in place to reduce waiting times for patients following the pandemic and the sustained pressure on NHS services.  We have provided additional capacity within the organisation, including extra procedure lists, additional clinics including at weekends, where possible, to reduce these waiting times. We also work with the independent sector and neighbouring NHS Trusts to increase the availability for patients to have procedures undertaken as quickly as possible. We…

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…

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,…

Welcome Welcome to the Special Care Baby Unit at Hereford County Hospital located on the second floor.  Your baby may be on the unit because they require additional care. Our staff are all here to support you and help care for your baby. On this website page, you will find helpful information about parental access to the unit, visiting arrangements, what you may need, quiet time, feeding your baby, and useful links to information and support.  Please see the menu on the right side of this page to access this helpful information. We have two video tours of the Special…

  Training for General Practice  Why not come to our beautiful county and join our local Vocational Training Scheme for General Practice?  Herefordshire has a well-established training programme. The hospital experience is based  at Hereford County Hospital in the heart of the city of Hereford, and  surgery-based jobs are within the county and within easy reach of Hereford City. We have a mixture of rural and city training practices and you are usually able to spend time in both. The half-day release programme takes place on the hospital site at the Post-Graduate Medical Centre. We have a high ratio of…

The Recall action for Philips Respironics CPAP machines is ongoing. If you have not been contacted for a replacement machine, please get in touch with the Sleep Service to arrange this. Contact 07790981645 on Monday to Friday between 9am and 12am. Or send a text with your details and what is required Thank you for your patience.  Frequently asked questions about the recall  Should I carry on using my machine? Yes. CPAP treatment is the only treatment available for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS). The consequences associated with untreated OSAHS can include: higher risk of strokes…