The NHS has a screening programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). AAA is a condition found predominantly in older men where the wall of the main artery to the trunk and lower body is weakened and in extreme cases can fail. Under the NHS AAA screening programme men are offered screening in the year that they are 65 years old. Older men who have not been screened can self refer by calling 01865 572636. The screening is by ultrasound, takes only a few minutes and is painless. At the most recent meeting of Reading's Health and Wellbeing Board on 30th January 2015, it was reported that the takeup of screening across the two Reading CCGs for the 65-year-old cohort is above 71% with a small number of older persons also referring themselves. The target takeup is 80% for the Thames Valley. Reading's figures have increased and are expected to continue increasing. . Of those offered screening in South Reading only 65% were tested - well below the 80% target.

We will be meeting between 6.15pm and 7:45pm on Wednesday, 28th January 2015 in the Reading Community Learning Centre 10, Eaton Place, RG1 7LP (see Agenda for directions) . There will be a talk and discussion led by Karla Vickers of Reading Borough Council on the implementation of the Care Act 2014 in Reading, as well as news and discussion about health care locally.

We will be meeting between 6.15pm and 7:45pm on Wednesday, 28th January 2015 in the Reading Community Learning Centre 10, Eaton Place, RG1 7LP (see Agenda for directions) . There will be a talk and discussion led by Karla Vickers of Reading Borough Council on the implementation of the Care Act 2014 in Reading, as well as news and discussion about health care locally.

The Care Quality Commission, quality regulator for the NHS, has placed Priory Avenue surgery, a Caversham practice part of the North and West NHS CCG, in special measures after judging it inadequate on a number of counts. The practice has been given an inadequate rating and must produce and execute a plan to remedy its failings. GP services are under pressure nationally and especially in the Thames valley. Here, the high cost of living and accommodation, makes the area expensive for training or newly-qualified doctors. Traditional GP partnerships, where incoming partners have to buy their share of the practices assets are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit new partners able and willing to buy their share of the practice. When the existing partnership could no longer continue and the partners resigned, a tendering process resulted in the selection of Specialist Health Services Ltd., a company centred on Bracknell GP practices, to provide the service. An eight-year contract was awarded, of the type known as "Alternative Personal Medical Services", which allows freedom to adjust the contracted services. In this case extended hours were specified as part of the tender process. The practice continues and is formulating and executing its plan to remedy the defects found by the CQC .

Monitor, the body that assesses and licences NHS hospitals has placed the Royal Berkshire Hospital on notice to improve its computer data handling, its governance and its financial plannng. In addition its progress in making the improvements demanded by the Care Quality Commission in June 2014 will continue to be monitored. In a notice issued on 12th December 2014, Monitor recorded a number of undertaking made by the Royal Berkshire Hospital in response to earlier criticism. Royal Berkshire Hospital had suspended reporting of the key RTT (referral to treatment) figures against the 18-week target claiming problems with data quality. In this it is not alone. Barts hospital in London, which also runs the Cerner Millennium hospital software used by RBH has also suspended RTT reporting for the same reason. It seems extraordinary that there is no nationally coordinated action on such problems with systems from a common supplier. Royal Berkshire Hospital is also criticised for weaknesses in its financial planning - in particular concerning the costs of correcting failures to meet the 18-week referral to treatment target and concerning the costs of redundancies. This latter point must be of concern to both staff and patients as no indication is given of the nature of the redundancies in question. As a further consequence weaknesses in governance are raised, and measures demanded to improve governance. At a time when the hospital is coming under greatest pressure it must be difficult to find the spare effort to adapt and improve internal systems and attitudes. We can only wish the whole staff well with their programmes of improvement in quality, performance and governance.

At this time of year there is usually an outbreak of tinsellitis. You may notice sparkly matter on the scalp, neck or elsewhere. There may be a momentary irritation but this should not be lasting. Should you feel an urge to shout, "Bah! Humbug!", cover your mouth until it passes. Infection takes place mainly through the eye, and young people are particularly susceptible. The active element is often found on ceilings, pine trees or draped over electronic equipment. It is generally harmless and will not last long into the New Year. Don't bother your GP with it - they've probably got it themselves. We wish our readers and members a happy Xmas break and a healthy New Year!

A childrens' clinic, mainly for under-fives, will operate in Broad Street Mall from 4pm to 8pm every day except Bank Holidays through the winter up to Sunday 12th April 2015 to relieve pressure on the Royal Berkshire Hospitals A&E department. Access is by booked appointment on 07766 418 168 from 9am daily until Sunday 12th April. For full details see the South Reading CCG website.

Your GP surgery offers flu vaccination for children who were aged 2,3, or 4 on 1st September 2014. The vaccine is given by means of a nasal spray so there is no nasty needle involved. Flu spreads very rapidly among young children and can then be passed to older children and adults so this is a good means of protecting most of the population. Available NOW. Read more about it here .

 Reading Borough Council is consulating the public on the implementation of the new Care Act. The Act sets uniform, national standards for assessing need and gives new rights to those needing care and to their carers. We hope to have a talk and discussion about aspects of the Care Act at our meeting on 28th January. Details of the consultation are this Reading Borough Council web page.

A workshop primarily for users of mental health services and their carers, but also for voluntary organisations in this field will be held at Reading Town Hall between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday, 2nd December. Reading Borough, Reading's two Clinical Commissioning Groups and Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust are sponsoring this free event which will contribute to planning future Mental Health Services in Reading. Please see the workshop's website page for details of how to book your place.