It is well known that patients are waiting longer to get a GP appointment and that without action the situation will get worse as a generation of GPs retires - two surgeries in in North and West Reading have already had to find new service providers as GPs retired and could not be replaced. Professional bodies have been looking at the role that pharmacists could play in General Practice.

The BBC has reported that the NHS in England missed the target of treating 85% of cancer patients within 2 months (62 days) for all 4 quarters of 2014. Analysis by Macmillan Cancer Support has shown that the UK is about 10 years behind leading European nations in terms of cancer five-year survival rates. A key problem is that many patients typically present llater than elsewhere.

A new campaigning group is to be set up for carers in mental health other than dementia. The group will be a sub-group of Berkshire Carers Support Group. The group will help carers find resources, empower themselves and promote a a joined-up mental/physical health and social care system that responds to their needs, wants and values. If interesed please contact: Dr Sofija Opacic tel: 07966 369579 For more details see the attached flyer.

We will be meeting between 6.15pm and 7:45pm on Wednesday, 25th February 2015 in the Reading Community Learning Centre, 94, London Street, RG1 4SJ (see Agenda for directions) . There will be a talk and discussion led by Karen Grannum, South Reading NHS CCG Manager on the planning for healthcare for South Reading for 2015/16. as well as further news and discussion about health care locally.

We will be meeting between 6.15pm and 7:45pm on Wednesday, 25th March 2015 in the Reading Community Learning Centre, 94, London Street, RG1 4SJ (see Agenda for directions) . There will be a talk and discussion led by Katie Summers on the Hospital At Home programme which attempts to move more care into home and the community,. as well as a consultation on this year's Beat the Streets and news and discussion about health care locally.