The Guardian reported (2nd February 2017) that student applications to nursing courses had fallen by 23% this year. This is the first year that nursing students will not receive government busraries to cover fees and costs. Paradoxically, Government abandoned the bursaries partly to save money and partly to allow the number of students to increase. The applications from 18 year olds seem to have held up but those from older applicants have fallen drastically. This will mean less nurse.s qualifying in three years time.

South Reading Patient Voice will meet at 6pm on Wednesday, 222nd February at RCLC, 94, London Street RG1 4SJ to discuss work on TB in South Reading and the CCG's operational plan for the coming year. Members will also hear news from Patient Participation Groups around South Reading and from Reading Healthwatch.

According to a recent report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health there is a growing gap in health between children of rich and poor households. Children living in our wealthiest areas are as healthy as any in the world, but those in deprived areas have health among the worst in the developed world.

Reading's Health and Wellbeing Board meets in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Bridge Street at 2pm on Friday 27th September 2017. The agenda includes updates supported by papers on the STP and ACS - local "by agreement" working organisation bringing together several CCGs and providers, the Health and Wellbeing strategy, work on FGM, safeguarding reports and other matters.

According to the Reading Chronicle the Royal Berkshire hospital has postponed the closure of its hydrotherapy pool until Summer, allowing time for discussions on the future of the pool with interested parties. According to our investigations, the closure had not been discussed with the Council of Governors at the hospital. Nor did our perusal of the Board papers for September, October or November reveal any Board level proposal for the closure.