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Report published: Evaluation of the Community Wellness Outreach programme
Our evaluation report, which features recommendations on Reading’s Community Wellness Outreach Programme, is now live. What is the Community Wellness Outreach programme? In 2022/23, only 6%* of eligible local people (aged 40–74 who hadn’t had a check in the previous five years) accessed a free NHS Health Check at their GP surgeries. It was also clear that some people from different communities across Reading were not attending their GP at all. To address this, the Community W
Apr 1


Promoting vaccine awareness through community voices
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
Mar 16


NHS App changes coming at the end of March
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
Mar 10


What the national investigation has found so far about maternity care in England
On 26 February 2026, the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation published an interim report showing the urgent need to improve care for mothers and babies in England. Background The investigation was launched in June 2025 by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to review NHS maternity services across England. Led by Baroness Valerie Amos, the aim is to uncover the “systemic causes of unacceptable care affecting women, babies, and families.” It includes local revi
Feb 27


Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust refreshes its strategy for the next five years
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has launched its refreshed strategy to improve patient care for 2025-2030. The strategy focuses on the Trust embracing the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan to lead transformation at the Trust. The Trust says that through artificial intelligence and data, genomics, robotics and advanced diagnostics, it will harness the power of technology to personalise care, improve patient outcomes and increase productivity. The refreshed strategy focuses on: De
Feb 6


Royal Berkshire Hospital: resident doctors strike - Wed 17 December - Mon 22 December, 2025
Resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) are taking industrial action from Wednesday 17 December 2025 to Monday 22 December 2025, locally and nationally. Whilst Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is putting plans in place to reduce the impact this will have on the running of Royal Berkshire Hospital and its other services, some appointments may need to be changed. If your appointment is impacted by this, you will be contacted by the Trust to reschedule your app
Dec 16, 2025


Referrals to Adult ADHD have temporarily stopped
From 1 December 2025, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has temporarily stopped accepting new referrals to their Adult ADHD service. The trust said: "This difficult decision has been made in discussion with our local Integrated Care Boards (the organisations responsible for planning health services in their local area) to make sure we can continue to provide safe, effective and sustainable care for people who already use the service." "We know this news may be worryin
Dec 1, 2025


Government response to national petition calling for action
The Government has responded to the petition to save Healthwatch, after plans were announced earlier this year to close down Healthwatch England and the local Healthwatch network as part of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan. The petition, which is open until 7 February 2026, calls on the Government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and supports the
Nov 24, 2025


May Bank Holiday Pharmacy Opening Times
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...
May 3, 2024


Today, NHS prescription charges rise to £9.90 per item
Today the cost of an NHS prescription will increase, rising from £9.65 to £9.90 per item in England. A 12-month NHS prescription...
May 1, 2024


The first ever National Diabetes Experience Survey launches
The National Diabetes Experience Survey is a new survey which gives people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in England the...
Mar 12, 2024
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