At the meeting of 30th January the national AQP (any qualified provider) programme was discussed. Each commissioning trust had been obliged to choose three areas to open up to multiple suppliers. In Berkshire the areas are Adult Hearing (tests and provision of hearing aids with follow up), Non-Obstetric Ultrasound (scanning but not of the unborn child) and Podiatry (Foot care). Where there are multiple suppliers the patient chooses with the help and advice of their GP. who provides the referral.

From April 2013, NICE will develop a library of quality standards and guidance to improve the quality of care and support, in consultation with the care and support sector, care users, their families and carers. The Department for Health is issuing a consultation document on social care standard - responses to be in by 20th April 2013. Locally Healthwatch, the successor to LiNK, will take on the role of consumer champion for Social Care as well as for Health.

The South Reading Patient Voice will meet at the University Health Centre on Northcourt Avenue at 6pm-7:30pm on Wednesday, 30th January 2013. The Agenda will include presentation and discussions on AQP (any qualified provider - the Government's choice of supplier approach), the progress of the CCG and the commissioning plan for South Reading. This is a chance to get an understanding of the coming shape of our health services as the new arrangements finally take shape.

In a paper to be considered at the (shadow) Health and Well-Being Board on 25th January 2013, Reading Borough Council has published its response to the public consultation on Reading's Health and Well-Being Strategy for 2013-14. Please see the attached link for access to this paper. Much of the comment is in the way of fleshing out the strategy and changing or introducing new points of emphasis. It is stressed that the strategy is an evolving document.

The next meeting of the Reading Borough Health and Well-Being Board is on Friday 25th January at 2pm in the Kennet Room of the Reading Civic Offices. These meetings are open to the public. To request papers in advance contact Nicky Simpson at Reading Borough Council using this form.