Wye Valley NHS Trust

Back to Rapid Cardiology The two carotid arteries are the main vessels that supply blood to the brain. They originate from the main arteries of the body (the aorta and brachiocephalic artery) in the chest and travel up through the neck and into the skull. Atherosclerosis of the right or left carotid artery is the most common cause of a stroke. A carotid duplex scan is a technique to take a picture of these arteries using sound waves (ultrasound). A sound-wave transducer is placed gently on the neck. The walls and interior of the artery are visualised and the velocity…

The pre-operative assessment unit is situated at the back of the hospital which is clearly sign posted from the main entrance.  It is approximately a 5-10 minute walk from the main entrance but if you require assistance or a wheelchair please ask at the hospital main reception. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that you are medically fit for surgery.  It also gives you an opportunity to ask questions you may have or discuss any concerns. You will be seen by an experienced pre op assessment nurse, who will ask you a range of questions about your medical…

Mr Zaid Al-Wattar FRCS (Tr&Orth) Job Title: Consultant Shoulder & Upper Limb Surgeon  Special interests: Shoulder, Elbow & Hand surgery, Upper Limb Trauma, Shoulder Arthroscopy & Arthroplasty, General Trauma and Medical education Appointed to Hereford County Hospital 2019 Contact To contact Mr Al-Watter please ring his secretary Robin Garlick on extension 01432 372950. Staff recognition video - improving patient experience Watch our staff recognition video to see the innovative ways our staff are working to enhance the services and care we provide.  Wide Awake Local Anaesthetic No Tourniquet procedure has been introduced at our hospital for trauma and orthopaedics and upper limb surgery to improve patient experience…

Our theatre team undertake more than 13,000 operations every year for inpatients and day surgery patients. We care for our patients by ensuring that operations are carried out in the safest, most modern surroundings, with high quality care and treatment, provided by our expert theatre surgeons and theatre teams. Our dedicated theatre team is always looking for ways to improve the service we provide.  We keep up to date with current research and progress, as well as assessing and review our skills regularly.  We operate on patients from Herefordshire and the surrounding areas, and patients from other areas can choose…

Labour can be categorised into the latent phase of labour and the active/established stage. The pain relief options will be slightly different for each stage. The Latent Phase This is the early phase of labour where your cervix will be softening and getting ready for established labour.  You may experience some period type discomfort and irregular tightening’s, the sensations you feel will most likely be in your lower abdomen and lower back as your cervix softens. For this stage of labour, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself feel more comfortable: Use a hot water bottle…

Welcome to our paediatric outpatient department and Children's Ward.  The Paediatric department (Children's ward) provides inpatient and outpatient treatment of medical and surgical conditions, in children from birth up to the seventeenth birthday. The Children's ward deals with medical conditions and also provides facilities for many surgical specialties. The majority of children needing surgery can be treated in Hereford.  However, surgery in young children (generally under two years of age) and specialist surgery is referred to a specialist Children’s hospital, usually Birmingham. Both the medical and surgical specialties at The County Hospital have good links with Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Several…

We are a consultant led service, providing anaesthesia for over 15,000 surgical cases per annum. We strive to deliver the highest standards of care, working in close conjunction with other departments in the hospital. We embrace innovation and continually deliver care within clinical governance guidelines. Outline of the Department Our department has state of the art equipment to ensure that we provide the best clinical care to our patients. This includes ultrasound machines to facilitate pain relief blocks and Doppler monitors to assess patients under anaesthesia. Among our team of consultants who all deliver anaesthesia to surgical specialties, we have…

An instrumental birth refers to the use of either forceps or ventouse (suction cup). An instrumental birth happens for 1 in every 8 births.   Forceps are metal instruments which fit together around your baby’s head to speed up the process of baby being born during the pushing phase.  The doctor will pull the forceps as you also push down during a contraction. Ventouse is a suction cup which is placed on baby’s head firmly and also pulled by the doctor while you push.   The choice of instrument will depend on the situation, how many weeks pregnant you are…

The County Hospital Vascular Service The County Hospital offers a combined Vascular Service with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The role of the Vascular Service is to assess and treat patients with arterial and venous disease and conditions. Types of patients seen Patients seen range from those with varicose veins to strokes, aneurysms, gangrene, and claudication. Vascular Surgeons and Clinics There are two vascular surgeons based at The County Hospital. Outpatient clinics are held on: Tuesday mornings Wednesday afternoons Alternate Monday afternoons The surgeons are supported at these clinics by the Clinical Vascular Scientist based in the Vascular Unit. Patients…

Victoria Eye Unit at The County Hospital The Victoria Eye Unit offers a wide range of ophthalmic services, covering all areas of general ophthalmology, including cataract surgery. Specialist Clinics We provide specialised clinics for: Glaucoma Retinal and Macular Disorders (including Vitreoretinal surgery) Squint (in both adults and children) Paediatric Ophthalmology Thyroid Eye Disease Eyelid Disorders Inflammatory eye disease Cornea and external disease The department is equipped with state-of-the-art digital photographic and laser imaging equipment, all connected throughout the hospital. Eye Unit – Emergencies If you have an urgent eye problem, follow the guidance below: Call an Optometrist from the lists below,…