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.

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.

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.