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…

Mindfulness Do you feel that you are in a daily battle with your pain? Is your mind full of thoughts, fears, frustrations or muddle? Do you feel like you are always rushing? Do you hate the idea of “accepting your pain” or “coming to terms with it”? Mindfulness can help you find a calmer way to live life despite having pain. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is merely paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.  It is based on meditation practice which helps you Allow your mind to settle more in the present moment…

Please ask your midwife about antenatal colostrum harvesting.  There are many reasons why you might choose to do this, regardless of your feeding goals. It is of particular benefit where your baby is at risk of having low blood sugars after birth for instance, if you are diabetic or taking certain medications.  Your midwife will give you a pack with all you need to get started and explain when it is safe to do so.  Colostrum is the first milk produced by your body.  This starts in pregnancy as your body prepares for the birth of your baby. It is…

  For most pain conditions, pain medication is a choice for symptom relief rather than a necessity to stop a disease process. Any treatment with medicines results in a balance of benefits and harms; if the medicine doesn’t relieve the symptoms then the result of taking the medicine is harm only. Medication can be helpful in acute or short-term pain, and may be used in persistent pain but the latest research shows us that pain medications can become less effective over time and also cause unpleasant side-effects, even increasing sensitivity to pain. That is why it is important to incorporate…

  Patients should all be seen within 4 weeks of a referral Patients with a new diagnosis will be seen within 2 weeks of a referral Continued support from the service is offered All aspects of wellness, illness and social care benefits are assessed Prompt correct referrals to other health care professionals are actioned and followed up Patients have access to the most correct up-to-date information available Patients needing modifying treatments are assessed at an appropriate time Relapsing patients are triaged and treated within a 10 day timeframe The model of delivery encompasses: Health promotion for people newly diagnosed with MS…

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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…

Back to Cardiac Services Cardiology Cardiology is the medical speciality dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the heart. Cardiologists are specialists in diseases of the heart. The biggest area of heart disease treated is coronary artery disease e.g. angina. Also treated are abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, high blood pressure and some rarer conditions. Cardiologists usually treat heart disease with drugs. Some of them are also able to provide treatment for coronary heart disease with coronary angioplasty (a procedure by which the arteries of the heart are widened). If heart surgery is required, a cardiologist…