IN an interview on 31st May 2014 in the Daily Telegraph, Simon Stevens, head of NHS England, signalled a change of thinking on centralisation, ahead of a major speech. He said, "The NHS must stop closing cottage-style hospitals and return to treating more patients in their local communities". Mr Stevens warned that British hospitals have become among the worst in western Europe at caring for local populations, because too many services have been stripped out and centralised.

Thames Valley NHS England has written to the new head of NHS England, Simon Stevens, asking for a lay/patient representative to have a place on the board of NHS England. The text of the letter to Simon Stevens is below: Dear Mr Stevens,. The Patient Partnership Leads of the Strategic Clinical Networks, along with Area team and other colleagues, offer you a very positive welcome to NHS England.

The Governing Body of the South Reading NHS CCG will meet in public from 9.00am to 12.30am on Wednesday, 4th June 2014 at the Museum of English Rural Life in Redlands Road, Reading. Papers on strategy, patient engagement, quality and safety, finance and new services will be presented. The papers will be available at the CCG website from midday on 28th May. There is an opportunity to submit questions for the Governing Body which can relate to any aspect of NHS care funded through the CCG.

Carers week 2014 takes place in Reading from 9th to 15th June. See the attached programme of events for a range of activities covering a wide spectrum of carers' concerns, including advice on Carers Allowance, picnic by the Thames and introduction to new technology to support carers.

We will be meeting between 6pm and 7:30pm on Wednesday, 28th May 2014 at 6pm at the Communicare office behind Wycliffe Baptist Church, Cemetery Junction (see attached Agenda for directions) . Our main item will be a talk and discussion on Reading's Health and Well-being led by Councillor Graeme Hoskin, present lead Councillor for Health and Wellbeing. There will also be an election for officers. Please see the attached Agenda for other items.