We will be meeting between 6.15pm and 7:45pm on Wednesday, 29th October 2014 in the Reading Community Learning Centre 10, Eaton Place, RG1 7LP (see Agenda for directions) . Our first item will be a talk and discussion on integrating health and social care and then we will discuss.our future programme and topics.

A study by Public Health England covering the years 2010-2012 has put Reading 81st out of 150 local authorities for early deaths and 10th out 15 comparable local authorities. So "could do better". More details can be seen here where you can also find out what to do to protect yourself.

At a recent meeting of the South Reading CCG Council of GP Practices the member practices failed to support the proposed merger of all four Berkshire West CCGs with a sufficient majority to allow the necessary change of constitution. South Reading NHS CCG has issued the following statement: "The 4 CCGs have decided to withdraw from the process to apply to create a single CCG by April 2015.

Roy Lilley, a prominent commentator notes that In the UK the number of all types of nurses per 1,000 head of population has gone from 2010 - 10.1, 2011 - 9.5 and 2012 - 8.8. How could this possibly be consistent with a move from hospital to community care - which surely will require more nurses?

In its final five-year plan as submitted to NHS England the Berkshire West CCGs outlline their plans to transform treatment. This will involve efforts to treat a greater proportion of patients out of hospital using new serivces, new technoloigy and new care pathways.