The death rate for England and Wales has been about 3,700 above expected numbers since early December with 3,000 of the extra deaths among the over-75s according to the Office of National Statistics. Public Health England has suggested that flu could be the cause despite a successful flu vaccination campaign this winter. It will take more analysis to produce a definitive conclusion.

At a recent meeting of the Reading Health and Wellbeing Board we learned that expanded local treatment of lymphoedema was being considered.

The NHS has a screening programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).

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) .

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.

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.

At this time of year there is usually an outbreak of tinsellitis.

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.

Your GP surgery offers flu vaccination for children who were aged 2,3, or 4 on 1st September 2014.

Reading Borough Council is consulating the public on the implementation of the new Care Act.