News & reports

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

As part of the Government's 10-year plan to help improve healthcare in England, some significant changes are taking place. These changes will affect how local services are planned and delivered across Berkshire. Local Changes A new NHS Thames Valley ICB (Integrated Care Board) is being developed. This will involve merger of BOB (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ) and Frimley ICBs to form a larger body covering much of the Thames valley. Thames Valley ICB will

Are you referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic test? Was this referral made by a doctor, dentist or another primary healthcare professional? If so, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). Here are some examples of diagnostic tests: Blood tests Heart tests (ECGs, echocardiograms, and stress tests) Imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds) Lung tes