Eye specialists say hundreds of patients suffer irreversible sight loss every year in England because services are overstretched and under-resourced. The president of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Prof Carrie MacEwen, writing for the BBC's Scrubbing Up, warns the NHS is struggling to keep up because of a "perfect storm" of increased demand, caused by more eye disease in an ageing population which requires requiring long term care. She says the current treatment targets fail to reflect the critical importance of follow-up appointments, which may be delayed for months or even years.

Reading Borough Council is responsible along with the local NHS for arranging support services for carers. After a re-tendering exercise jointly with West Berks Council the contract is to be given to Carers Trust East Midlands who are based in Nottingham. Support will shift from Berkshire Carers to Carers Trust East Midlands at the end of March 2016.

We heard some time ago that South Reading CCG was asking Governing Body Lay Member Christopher Mott to stand down at the end of March 2016. The Western Berkshire Federation aims to avoid all lay member posts having to be replaced at one time. Christopher Mott has been Lay Member for Public and Patient Engagement for two years. Many will remember his genial introductions at major consultation events. It was easy to recognise his commitment to involving public and patients in the development of our local NHS.

A widely-drawn task force on mental health care appointed by NHS England has issued its report with a strategy for the next five years. The report has a wealth of information and recommendations with a focus on equalities and standards of care.

The report of the National Maternity Review, published in February 2016, sets new ambitions for the maternity services and services to mothers before and after childbirth. It calls for: