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Opening hours for local pharmacies are listed below. The details are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change. Please contact the pharmacy before travelling to ensure they are open and have the medication you need. Pharmacy Many local pharmacies will be closed or operating reduced hours throughout the Easter holidays. However, there are still some pharmacies in Reading and beyond you can visit if you want to speak to a pharmacist about any health concerns

Kent, England has recently experienced a meningitis outbreak, with two young people tragically losing their lives and 13 others falling ill in just three days. Most of those affected are sixth-form and university students. Meningitis outbreaks like this are rare, but the infection can develop very quickly and become serious. Shared spaces such as schools, colleges, and universities make it easier for the bacteria or viruses that cause meningitis to spread. Certain types of ba

We’re delighted to share this update from Alliance and Cohesion for Racial Equality ( ACRE ) to help encourage our Reading communities, networks and residents to access these valuable vaccine videos. Please share this article and videos so we can all help more people understand their vaccine options and support healthier communities. "Alliance and Cohesion for Racial Equality (ACRE) has launched a new series of multilingual vaccine information videos designed to help more peo

It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need. Your mental health is important, both for your wellbeing and your child’s. It’s important that you feel supported throughout your journey of becoming a parent and have a safe space to talk about how you are feeling. Take a look at the information below to find out where you can go to get the support you and your family need.  Are mental heal

From the end of March, people will start to notice some changes to the NHS App. According to NHS Digital, the app will begin to look different as updates are rolled out over the coming weeks. For some people, the update will happen automatically, and others may see a message asking them to update the NHS app. What is changing? A new “App help” button at the top of each screen will take users directly to support information. Users will be able to view and manage their personal

What is the six-week postnatal check up for new mothers and why it’s important that you attend it? In this advice piece, we cover all the basic questions you may have about it. In 2020, NHS England launched a  6-week mental health check for new mothers  to ensure they feel well and have the support they need if they are struggling with their mental health.     What is the six-week postnatal check?    GPs must offer a six-week postnatal check to all new mothers and birthing p

Autism affects people in different ways. It can bring strengths and challenges that can affect how comfortable, healthy, and happy you feel. Here's what you should expect from an autism assessment, diagnosis and getting the proper support. There are more than 1 in 100 autistic people in the UK. Getting the correct diagnosis and support is vital.  Why have I been referred for an assessment for autism? You might be referred to an assessment if you or people around you think you

Jess’s Rule is a new patient safety initiative being displayed in every GP surgery in England from this week onwards. It is designed to help doctors spot serious illnesses earlier by encouraging them to take a "fresh eyes" approach when symptoms continue. How it works Strike One:  A patient visits their GP with symptoms. Strike Two:  The patient returns because the symptoms continue or worsen. Strike Three:  The patient attends again and there is still no clear diagnosis. At

For the first time patients whose prostate cancer has not spread will be able to receive the drug in England, known as abiraterone, as the health service widens access to the treatment. Around 2,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the last three months, whose cancer has not spread, will get access to the treatment if it is of clinical benefit. An additional 7,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. They will be eligible for the drug, which s

Sue Ryder has been awarded a major new NHS contract to grow its compassionate palliative and end-of-life care services across Wokingham Borough, Reading, Newbury and South Oxfordshire.    Starting in January 2026, the new services will help more local people living with life-limiting conditions access palliative and end-of-life care to manage their symptoms, provide comfort, and improve their quality of life, often in their own home.  These services include: o        A new Si

Below we feature local pharmacy opening times, who to call for non-emergency health concerns, including mental health support, and dentistry. In an emergency People experiencing a genuine, life-threatening health emergency, such as heavy bleeding, significant chest pain or loss of consciousness, should seek help straight away by calling 999 or by visiting the nearest hospital emergency department. Get medical and mental health support help with NHS 111 NHS 111 can also be use

Welcome to our NHS App information page. This is your one-stop page for support and guidance. Whether you're just getting started or want to learn more, we’ve got you covered. If you can’t use the NHS App on a mobile phone, you can still log in through the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/ . This lets you access NHS services on a laptop, computer, tablet or phone using the internet. You can also still contact your GP practice by phone or in person. What can you do on t

Covid vaccine eligibility has changed from last winter. For more information, please click here to visit the NHS website, or ask your GP surgery or pharmacy. As we spend more time indoors, winter is the perfect season for illnesses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV(Respiratory, Syncytial Virus) to spread easily from person to person. The cold, damp weather makes it harder to fight off infections as it puts extra strain on your body. Vaccination prevents you from becoming unwell. If

Our national body Healthwatch England has released new research which calls for a more personalised approach to cervical screening...

Millions of patients experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from support through 111 , the NHS announced on 27th August...

The University Medical Group is running a patient consultation exercise throughout August and September 2024 about the proposal to close...

An NHS spokesperson said : “The NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with EMIS, an appointment and patient record system,...

Access to NHS dental care continues to be one of the main issues we hear about from Reading locals but it's an issue that is also affecting people across the whole of the UK. We've put together a Q&A to help you understand what is happening and what to do if you need an NHS dentist in Reading. I am looking for an NHS dentist. Currently , no dentists are accepting new NHS patients across Reading. Many dental practices have very long waiting lists . You can join more than on

Some GP surgeries and pharmacies will be closed over the long weekend and opening hours of other NHS services may vary. The information...

The pharmacies listed below should be open as shown. The details are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change. You are...