All posts

6 days ago

Happy holidays and new year from the team at Healthwatch Reading

Health information and advice during the festive season, from pharmacy opening times to adult safeguarding concerns, can be found here.

Local health support and advice for the Christmas holidays

Dec 9

News

Local health support and advice for the Christmas holidays

Our phone line and office will be closed from Monday 23rd December and repon on Monday 6th Jan at 10am. We will not answer phone calls or...

GP access report now live: Insights from Reading, Wokingham Borough and West Berkshire

Oct 8

News

GP access report now live: Insights from Reading, Wokingham Borough and West Berkshire

At the end of last year, three Healthwatch teams— Reading, Wokingham Borough and West Berkshire—came together after hearing widespread...

Women in England tell Healthwatch they want at home cervical screening tests for free

Sep 17

News

Women in England tell Healthwatch they want at home cervical screening tests for free

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

NHS launches new mental health support service for children and adults

Aug 28

News

NHS launches new mental health support service for children and adults

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

Share your views on the proposed closure of Whitley Villa GP surgery (The University Medical Group)

Aug 12

News

Share your views on the proposed closure of Whitley Villa GP surgery (The University Medical Group)

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

Jul 19

News

NHS affected by global internet outage

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

Report out now: Reducing oral health inequalities for children in Reading

Jul 18

News

Report out now: Reducing oral health inequalities for children in Reading

25 families from a diverse range of backgrounds, with a combined total of 45 children, under the age of 10 years old, living in 3 of the...

Jul 4

News

Annual report 2023/2024

Read some of the ways we've worked together with residents, local communities and organisations to help deliver change in Reading over...

Empowering young women: improving sexual health awareness and services across Reading

Jul 4

News

Empowering young women: improving sexual health awareness and services across Reading

We are delighted to have launched our first Healthwatch Reading Youth project today, which aims to raise awareness about women’s sexual...

Nov 2024: All you need to know about dentistry in Reading

Jul 1

News

Nov 2024: All you need to know about dentistry in Reading

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...

Healthwatch Reading recognised at the Feast of Eid ul Adah, by the Sudanese community

Jun 17

News

Healthwatch Reading recognised at the Feast of Eid ul Adah, by the Sudanese community

Sunday 16th June marked the Feast of Eid ul Adah and was celebrated at King Meadows Park in Reading, with a community gathering and BBQ....

NHS help over the upcoming May bank holiday weekend

May 21

Advice & information

NHS help over the upcoming May bank holiday weekend

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

May 14

Reports

Our 2024/2025 workplan is published

In February this year, we asked you to tell us what your top health priorities are, and what projects and themes you would like us to...

May 3

Advice & information

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...

Today, NHS prescription charges rise to £9.90 per item

May 1

News

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...

4% increase in dental charges starts today

Mar 31

Advice & information

4% increase in dental charges starts today

NHS dental fees will go up by four per cent from 1 April. This is despite the fact that last year patients were faced with the steep...

How can the Pharmacy First Service help me?

Mar 28

News

How can the Pharmacy First Service help me?

The NHS has launched a major transformation to try and make it easier for patients to access the care they need. What is Pharmacy First?...

Mar 25

News

Martha's Rule rolled out

NHS England has announced the rollout of ‘Martha’s Rule’ in hospitals across England from April, enabling patients and families to seek...

The first ever National Diabetes Experience Survey launches

Mar 12

News

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...