A study by the Royal College of Surgeons shows that in 2010-11 some CCGs provided no surgery to over-75 year old patients for a number of prevalent conditions. This finding raises the concern that an informal, and since last year, illegal curb has been placed on such surgery. For example, in 2010-11 Bradford City CCG commissioned no surgery for breast cancer excision, for gall bladder removal or for knee replacement. While there is always a balance of risk and benefit with surgery the study shows wide variation between CCG areas.

The CQC has issued its report on its inspection of the Royal Berkshire Hospital Their overall rating was "requires improvement". A&E, End of Life care and services for children and young people were rated as good while medical, surgical, maternity and critical care were rated with "requires improvement". Areas found to be of outstanding practice were: 
 

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