Wye Valley NHS Trust

What will happen during my induction of labour? Your midwife will ask to take your observations (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, oxygen levels, breathing rate) The midwife will then ask to monitor your baby’s heartrate continuously for around 30 minutes on a CTG monitor Your midwife will then ask for your consent to carry out a vaginal examination to assess your cervix The midwife will then insert the prostaglandin (Propess) high in your vagina Your baby’s heart rate will then be monitored for another 30 minutes to check baby hasn’t immediately been affected To help encourage tightenings, it is important to…

Your midwife will talk to you about your choices for contraception when you are being discharged from the hospital. Contraception should ideally be commenced 21 days after giving birth. The most reliable form of contraceptive is the implant or the coil, this is because it doesn’t rely on the user to remember to take it. However, everyone has a different health history and therefore this may limit your options, for example if you have a personal or family history of bloods clots, cancer, diabetes, asthma or migraines. Your GP will also discuss contraception with you at your 8 week postnatal…

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…

Patient research at Wye Valley NHS Trust

Wye Valley NHS Trust’s Breast Team has launched a Breast Pain (Mastalgia) Clinic to help better manage what is a quite common condition which often causes unnecessary anxiety for patients. The new clinic will help to reduce this unnecessary anxiety. A referral to the Breast Team will naturally raise concern. The reality is that these referrals, where breast pain is the main symptom, rarely lead to diagnosis of cancer. This new clinic will reduce the number of referrals and therefore reduce the number of patients experiencing unnecessary worry and concern. At present, more than 20 per cent of referrals to…

Emergency Department (A&E) at Hereford County Hospital

Take your first step to a smoke free pregnancy Speak to your midwife or our local maternitysmoking cessation support workers who can help you become smoke free.  Our local smoking cessation support workers, Sharon and Anna, are with you every step of the way to help you become smoke free.  They offer a FREE ongoing support, including, weekly meet ups at a venue to suit you and your family and are available for face to face or telephone contacts.  Venues where we can meet you include at your home, hospital clinic appointments and children's centres. Sharon and Anna can also support your partner…

We recognise that mobile phones and other devices such as tablets are essential to maintain communication with friends, family and loved ones. However, in a hospital/healthcare setting they can sometimes be a nuisance to other patients, visitors and staff and pose a risk to privacy and dignity, especially if information, images and recordings are posted on social media. This includes taking photos of Wye Valley NHS Trust community staff working off site/in patients homes/ in care homes. Mobile phones, tablets and other devices that connect to the Internet can be used across Wye Valley NHS Trust’s hospitals/healthcare settings unless the Trust specifically advises you that their use is restricted in certain areas or circumstances. The Trust has policies and guidance in place to protect the confidentiality and privacy of people, staff, patients and visitors which includes the use of social media.

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