The venerable Washington-based Commonwealth Fund has given the National Health Service high rankings in a study comparing the health-care systems of eleven developed nations, including USA, NZ, Canada, France, Sweden and Germany. The NHS came top overall and top for effective care, safe care, coordinated care, patient-centred care, access despite cost and efficiency. Furthermore, out of 11 only Sweden and New Zealand were cheaper in cost per head. That said the UK came 10th out of 11 on the "Healthy Lives" measure. France was top, with Sweden second and USA last.

Public Health Reading in conjunction with Berkshire Youth will be running 5 "Let's Get Going" courses in Reading primary schools in the academic year 2014-15 as part of its action on childhood obesity. The courses are suitable for kids of ages 7 to 11 and can involve parents as well as children in learning about healthy food and activity.. The schools will be chosen on the basis of the Public Health childhood measurement programme. This is an advance on a previous year when 3 courses were given and should be welcomed.

South Reading Clinical Commissioning Group holds its Ammual Meeting on 2nd July 2014.from 1pm to 2.30pm at the Museum of English Rural Life, Craven Road, Reading RG1 5EX. The Annual Report and Accounts has been published and is available at the South Reading CCG website

Macmillan Cancer Support and the Royal Berks NHS Foundation Trust have organised a feedback session for those caring for a friend or family member living with or after cancer. Carers are invited to the sesion to help develop services to support carers. This will take place from 10am-12pm on Wednesday, 25th June, at Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive, Reading RG6 4HB. To attend or to find out more contact Natalie Thomas, Macmillan Well-Being Support Worker on 07799891409 or mailto://hwp-tr.MacmillanwellBeing@nhs.net.

The Governing Body of South Reading CCG met in public on 4th June with Dr Ishak Nadeem in the chair as Dr Elizabeth Johnston was on leave The Governing Body heard reports of progress against several of its targets for 2013/14. Firstlly, the proportion of diabetic patients receiving all 9 recommended care processes in the year was raised to 49% - a big jump if still far short of best practice.