Advice & Support

Link : Common Ailments Service - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

The common ailments service offers patients access to free NHS advice and treatment for common ailments that cannot be managed by self care.

The service offers an alternative to making an appointment with the GP to discuss the following 26 conditions

If you have any concerns at all about your eyes, see a High Street optometrist (also known as an optician) straightaway. He or she will tell you if you are eligible for a free eye health examination. This examination is known as an Examination for Urgent Eye Problems and this available under the Wales General Ophthalmic Service. Some eye diseases can lead to blindness or some loss of vision, but if detected early enough, your eyesight can often be saved.

As part of an examination for an urgent eye problem the optometrist will carefully examine your eyes to see if anything is wrong. The tests and equipment they use will depend on what you tell them and what they find. An eye examination for an urgent eye problem is more in-depth than, and different to a routine vision test so it may take longer. If the optometrist decides you need an examination for an urgent eye problem, it won’t cost you anything.

You can find an optometrist on most High Streets in Wales. If you have a sight problem, you can go to your existing optometrist (if you have one) or just phone or walk into any practice that is convenient for you to get to. 

NHS 111 Service

Get help for your symptoms

If you think you need medical help right now, 111 online can tell you what to do next.

Link: NHS 111 Wales - Homepage

Paediatric First Aid | St John Ambulance

  Minor Injuries Unit

The following can be treated at the Unit:

• Cuts and minor burns
• Sprains and strains
• Limb injuries
• Dislocation of fingers and toes
• Head injuries and facial injuries with no loss of consciousness and the patient is not taking anticoagulant (blood thinner) medication.
• Neck/back injuries, where you are mobile with no pins and needles in your arms or legs
• Foreign bodies to eyes, ears and nose
• Non-penetrating eye and ear injuries
• Chest Wall injuries
• Bites (insect, animal)
• Insect stings
• Alternatively, please check NHS 111 Wales for information on suitable services near you.

Link : Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda - Minor Injury Unit

• Learning difficulty or disability

• Sensory Loss

• Poor Mental Health

• Caring responsibility.

What problems can’t they help with?

• Medical issues

• Collection of Prescriptions

• Acute Mental Health Crisis

• Criminal matters.

How to access the service?

By calling the number below.

The service is free of charge.

Contact details - Telephone: 01443 425003

link: Adult Social Services Care and Support | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

What problems can they help with?

• Housing issues – homeless, risk of eviction or maintenance issues

• Financial issues – debt, benefits problems, budgeting support, benefits checks/applications

• Lonely or isolated – not seeing anyone, befriending

• Mental health – e.g. low level anxiety/depression

• Bereavement

• Domestic abuse

• Caring responsibilities

• Looking for community groups/activities

• Food Bank vouchers

• Accessing specialist services and support e.g. health conditions, education, training, volunteering and family issues.

What problems can’t they help with?

• Moderate/severe mental health issues/mental health crisis

• Patients needing medical advice or assistance.

How to access the service?

Patients can self-refer by calling or emailing the Wellbeing Coordinators directly using the phone numbers or email addresses below. 

Patients will be welcomed by the Wellbeing Coordinators and offered a telephone consultation. Face to face consultations may be offered.

Contact details

Sharron Davies 07561011916

SDavies@interlinkrct.org.uk

Registering your Pregnancy for Maternity services

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board provides maternity care for women in Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil. 

We have three separate hospitals that are able to offer maternity care,

Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend has an antenatal clinic and day assessment unit, obstetric unit, midwifery led birthing rooms, birthing pool and neonatal services. 

At Royal Glamorgan Hospital, women and birthing people have the opportunity to attend our Tirion Birth Centre, our freestanding, midwifery led unit. This is a home from home environment used by women whose pregnancies are low risk. Tirion also offers support postnatally to those who may require further breastfeeding support.

In Merthyr Tydfil, Prince Charles Hospital has an antenatal clinic, day assessment unit, triage assessment service, birthing pools, obstetric unit and an Alongside Midwifery Led Unit. Neonatal services are also available at this location.

Link: Maternity - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

 Early Pregnancy Unit

If you are under 13 weeks pregnant and have some complications, please do not hesitate to contact our Early Pregnancy Unit, using the numbers below:

Are you under 13 weeks pregnant?  

Are you experiencing any early pregnancy complications such as pain or bleeding?

Or have you ever experienced any previous early pregnancy complications?

If so, did you know that you can self-refer to the early pregnancy unit and discuss your concerns with our gynaecology nurse specialists

Any severe symptoms of pain or bleeding, we advise that you attend A&E in Prince Charles Hospital or Princess of Wales Hospital  

Link : Early Pregnancy Unit - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

CTM Sexual Health Clinics

For further information on sexual health in the CTM area please visit: Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

To make an appointment at a sexual health clinic in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf or Bridgend, please contact one of our Triage Lines on:

• Tel: 01685 728272 or Tel: 01443 443836

Self-referral for termination of pregnancy can be arranged by contacting:

• Bodywise (Rhondda/Taf) – 01443 443192
• Pregnancy Advisory Service (Merthyr/Cynon) – 01685 728497
• Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bridgend) – 01792 200303

If you are unsure which area to contact, all calls are triaged so that everyone contacting will be supported to arrange an appointment at a clinic that is the most convenient for them and will offer the service you require.

Explore the videos below to gain essential insights about visiting a sexual health clinic in Cwm Taf Morgannwg. Understand why you may need to book an appointment, get tips on what to say when booking and find out what to expect during your visit. If you’re under 16, take a look at how we can support you too.

**TRIGGER WARNING (TW): Unplanned pregnancy. If you have had an unplanned pregnancy, please contact us for confidential support using the contact numbers on this page.

Link: Sexual Health - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Self refer for MSK Physio services 

This is a musculoskeletal physiotherapy service designed to assess and support people struggling with joint and/or soft tissue pain/injury that is impacting function.

Your referral will be reviewed and added to the waiting list. If needed, a physiotherapist may contact you by phone to clarify the information you have provided. You will then be contacted by letter or phone inviting you to book an appointment, so please ensure your contact details are correct.

This referral should ideally be completed by the individual it concerns. If you are completing this on the behalf of someone under the age of 10, please arrange an appointment with your GP instead. They can refer to physiotherapy if appropriate. 

Link: Self Referral into MSK Physiotherapy Service - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

This is not a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy self-referral form. For Pelvic Health Physiotherapy please contact 01443 715012

FCP - First Contact Physio - at a Local Surgery

Book an appointment at the practice with the reception team

All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries, Osteoarthritis of any joint, Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone e.g. tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains, Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid back pain and neck pain, Spinal related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms e.g. pins and needles or numbness, Changes to walking.