You don’t need to bring too much for your little one, here are a few suggestions: Newborn nappies Cotton wall/wipes Baby grows and vests Muslin A couple of hats A blanket for the car seat when leaving hospital Any colostrum you have expressed, keep this in a freezer bag, named and with the date and time you expressed. On arrival at the hospital give it to a member of staff who will store it in the freezer for you If you have chosen to formula feed you will need to bring a formula feeding starter pack which includes the…

What is an aneurysm? The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. It runs from the heart down through the chest and abdomen. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak. It can then start to expand and form what is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, also known as an AAA or 'triple A'. The condition is most common among men aged 65 and over. Large aneurysms are rare but can be very serious. As the wall of the aorta stretches it becomes weaker and…

Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy are procedures that are both performed in the Endoscopy Department at The County Hospital. They are both a form of investigation to examine the lungs but the way they are carried out is very different. They are both carried out by a respiratory consultant, sometimes two. In the case of thoracoscopy, there is also the addition of an anaesthetist. Bronchoscopy and Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) A bronchoscopy is a test where a Respiratory Consultant looks into the lungs using a flexible tube with a camera and light at one end. This procedure is performed under conscious sedation which means…

The third stage of labour is the time between when your baby has been born and the birth of the placenta. Your womb will continue to contract and will be reducing in size. As your womb becomes smaller the placenta will comes away from the side of the uterus and move down into your vagina. As this happens you will have some blood loss as the blood vessels that were connecting the placenta and the uterus will temporarily bleed. The blood loss reduces once the blood vessels constrict and close up the space where your placenta was attached. Physiological third…

If you’ve ever dreamt of a place which brings together the convenience of living in a big city with the lifestyle associated with a home in a rural idyll, Herefordshire is the place for you. Herefordshire lies in the south west of the West Midlands, bordering Wales. It is a rural county with a population of around 178,400. Numbers are expected to grow to 193,600 by 2026. Just under half of the population live in villages and rural areas, just under a third (30 per cent) of the people live in Hereford City, and the rest (22 per cent) live…

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…

Hereford County Hospital address The postcode and address is Stonebow Road, The County Hospital, Hereford, HR1 2BN Accident & Emergency location The Accident & Emergency (A&E) department is located at the far end of the main hospital building. All patients and visitors to this department must use the designated A&E entrance. There is a drop-off and collection point at the main A&E entrance, and designated parking spaces for individuals with disabilities. The parking area is managed by a private contractor and charges apply, though concessions are available. There is more information on how to find us and available parking.

Job Title: Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon Qualifications Mr Oakley studied Medicine at Glasgow University, graduating in 1991. His specialist registrar training was on the Northern Regional Orthopaedic Training Programme whilst living in Durham. In 2001, he passed his FRCS (Tr & Orth) and completed an Arthroplasty Fellowship at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, and a Trauma fellowship in Denver, Colorado, USA. He returned, as a Consultant, to Hereford in 2003. Research interests include hip and knee replacement, and arthroscopic knee surgery. Research papers on: Day Surgery Hernias (BJS) DVT Prophylaxis (BMJ) Hip Fractures (Injury) Fixation of Clavicle Fractures (EFFORT)…

About the Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) team The Upper GI (Gastrointestinal) Service at Hereford County Hospital is made up of a skilled and supportive team, including surgeons, specialist nurses, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, and oncologists. Together, we assess and treat conditions affecting the upper part of your digestive system, including your oesophagus (gullet), stomach, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver. We provide care for a wide range of non-cancerous (benign) conditions, such as gallstones, acid reflux, and hernias. If a more serious (cancerous) condition is suspected, we will arrange the appropriate investigations and refer you to our specialist cancer team (Upper GI Cancer…

Colorectal Surgery at The County Hospital is provided by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and specialist nurses.  Outpatient assessment, investigation, treatment and follow-up are provided for all colorectal surgical conditions, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel conditions (crohns’ disease and ulcerative colitis), functional bowel disorders (constipation and incontinence) and anorectal conditions (fistula-in-ano, fissures, haemorrhoids etc.).  Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) colorectal surgery is well developed, and enhanced recovery is provided by a dedicated team of doctors, physiotherapists, dieticians, specialist and ward nurses and other staff.  Colorectal surgical patients are admitted to Frome ward and Primrose Unit (Elective). Day case…