GP appointments - an end to "call back another day"


We remind readers that they should no longer be asked to phone back another day or time when phoning to arrange a GP appointment.
In March this year the government and NHS England imposed the GP contract after negotiations with the BMA broke down.

The new contract specifies that practices must not ask callers to call back another day. Instead they must be offered an "assessment of need".

RBH Florey Clinic is out and about in Reading

The Royal Berkshire Hospital's sexual health clinic, the Florey Clinic is out and about with its sexual health bus - here seen in Broad Street on Friday 25th October 2024 offering testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

Autumn 2024 Vaccination Campaign

In Autumn 2024 appropriate groups are being offered vaccination for RSV (another respiratory disease which can be more serious for infants and older people) and  for flu and Covid-19 (offered together).

RSV vaccination is offered to those from 75 to 79 and 80 or over on 1 September 2024 until 31 August 2025. Also in pregnancy from 28 weeks onwards.

Flu and covid-19 boosters are  offered at GP surgeries and pharmacies to those who:

Integrated Care Board finally has permanent Chief Exec and Chair as finances tighten.

The first few years of the BOB Integrated Care Board which manages the NHS in our area (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West) have been marked by instability in leadership. Now we have both a permanent Chief Executive and Chair.

Nick Broughton, formerly chief executive of Oxford Health, the mental health and community NHS trust for Oxfordshire, is chief executive of BOB, while Dr Priya Singh has been appointed chair of the BOB board. Dr Singh is also chair of the Frimley Integrated Care Board, giving at least some coherence between Berkshire West and Berkshire East.

RPVG meets at 6pm on Wed 16 October 2024

Reading Patient Voice Group will meet at 6pm on Wednesday 16th October 2024 in Room 4b at the Reading Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading and online via Teams.

We will hear reports on meetings of the Integrated Care Board and the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Royal Berks AGM, a meeting with Sarah Wise, commissioner of primary care services in the BOB area, reports from trust governors and Healthwatch Reading and discuss our observations of the current NHS. 

RPVG meets at 6pm on Wed 18 Sept - talk on South Central Ambulance Trust

Reading Patient Voice Group will meet in room 4b at the Civic Office and online via Teams at 6pm on Wednesday, 18th September 2024.

We will hear a talk on the South Central Ambulance Trust from a governor's point of view from Tony Jones and reports about other providers and events in the local NHS.