All posts

Access to NHS dentistry remains one of the issues we hear about most often at Healthwatch West Berkshire. A new analysis from the Nuffield Trust highlights the scale of the challenge, finding that around 1 in 10 NHS dental practices in England have stopped providing NHS care since 2017. The great extraction: the changing state of NHS general dental services in England | Nuffield Trust The research found that the proportion of dental practices offering NHS treatment fell from

Many people across England are finding it harder than ever to access NHS dental care. New analysis from the Nuffield Trust shows that around 1 in 10 NHS dental practices have stopped providing NHS care since 2017, with approximately 600 practices leaving NHS dentistry during that period. The proportion of practices offering NHS dental services has fallen from around 65% to 56%. At Healthwatch West Berkshire, we know this reflects the experiences many local people share with u

For many women, finding the time to attend a cervical screening appointment can be difficult. Others may feel anxious, embarrassed, or worried about the procedure. Now, a new NHS initiative is aiming to remove some of those barriers by offering eligible women the opportunity to complete an HPV test from the privacy and comfort of their own home. The NHS has begun rolling out free home HPV self-testing kits to women aged 30 to 65 who have not attended cervical screening after

West Berkshire has something to celebrate! Recent figures show the area has achieved the highest uptake of the maternal RSV vaccine in England, with 84% of eligible pregnant women receiving the vaccine during pregnancy. While this is great news for babies and families, from a Healthwatch West Berkshire perspective it is also a powerful example of how effective communication and joined-up working can improve health outcomes. The RSV vaccine helps protect newborn babies from a

NHS Services Under Pressure During a Busy Summer This summer has been one of the busiest on record for NHS services across England. Recent NHS figures show that emergency departments saw record attendance levels during July, with ambulance services and 999 call centres also experiencing exceptionally high demand. Despite these pressures, waiting lists have continued to reduce and performance against planned treatment targets has improved. While national statistics are encoura

What could this mean for you? The NHS is planning a major change to how some healthcare is delivered in England: a new “online hospital”, known as NHS Online. Rather than being based in a physical building, NHS Online will connect patients digitally with specialist clinicians from across the country with the first patients expected to use the service from 2027. The aim is for faster access, more choice, and better use of technology, while keeping care safe and based on NHS

Adult social care is back in the national spotlight, with the Government announcing renewed plans to reform the system and improve support for people who need care, as well as for unpaid carers and care workers. Recent announcements include a commitment to accelerate work on social care reform, explore options for a National Care Service, and improve conditions for the care workforce. PM sets out new path to fix social care together: 29 July 2026 - GOV.UK For many people, soc

A recent appeal from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is reminding everyone responsible for a publicly accessible defibrillator to check that their device is working, properly maintained and registered on The Circuit, the UK's national defibrillator network. The reminder follows a significant increase in cardiac emergencies during the June heatwave, when SCAS saw a 118% rise in occasions where 999 call handlers directed members of the public to collect a nearby defibril

Bringing Mental Health Support Closer to Home Accessing mental health support early can make a huge difference. That's why recent national plans to expand community mental health services across England are welcome news. The Government has announced a £343 million programme that will create additional NHS community mental health centres, providing earlier support and crisis care outside of hospital emergency departments. The aim is to improve access to help within local commu

Could you spare a few hours to make a difference in West Berkshire? Healthwatch West Berkshire is looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to support our community events this autumn. Our events give local people the opportunity to share their experiences of health and social care services, find information about support available in their community, and have their voices heard. Volunteers play a vital role in helping us create a welcoming and engaging environment. Wh

Many of us don't think about adult social care until we or someone we love needs it. Whether it's support for an older person becoming frail, a family member living with a disability, someone recovering from illness, or a carer supporting a loved one, social care touches countless lives across our communities. That's why Healthwatch West Berkshire want to encourage residents to take part in The Big Conversation on Care, a national engagement exercise launched by Baroness Lou

Supporting NHS Staff to Keep Healthcare Safe for Everyone Every day, NHS staff across Berkshire care for thousands of people with professionalism, compassion and dedication. Whether they're treating an emergency, supporting someone with a long-term condition or offering reassurance during a difficult time, healthcare staff are there to help. Most people treat NHS staff with the kindness and respect they deserve. However, incidents of violence, aggression and abuse continue to

When your NHS bowel cancer screening kit arrives through the post, it's tempting to put it aside and tell yourself you'll get to it later. For many people in their 50s, "later" often turns into never. New NHS data shows that people aged 50 to 59 are much less likely to complete their bowel cancer screening test than older age groups. Just over half of 54-year-olds took part in screening between April 2024 and March 2025, compared with nearly three-quarters of people aged 70 t

Turning Experiences into Change Our annual report is now published, and it highlights just some of the work we carried out over the past year to help local people have their voices heard. One example is our work with the racing community. When members of the community approached Healthwatch West Berkshire, they asked us to help make sure their experiences of accessing health and wellbeing support were heard by the right people. We listened, shared their concerns with key part

Caring for a family member, friend or neighbour can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Many unpaid carers juggle caring responsibilities alongside work, family life and their own wellbeing. That's why it's important to know that support is available – and it's completely free for carers in West Berkshire. West Berkshire Council has partnered with Carers UK to provide carers with free access to a range of digital resources designed to make caring easier,

The NHS has announced a new set of 8 minimum standards for patient experience aimed at improving how patients access and interact with planned healthcare services. The changes are designed to reduce uncertainty, improve communication, and make the NHS easier to navigate. NHS Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey described the current experience for many patients as "like walking through treacle" and said the new standards will help deliver a more transparent and patient-centred serv

See the Difference You've Made Across West Berkshire Every conversation matters, every survey completed, every experience shared and every story told has helped improve health and care services across West Berkshire. Our new 2025/26 Annual Report showcases how local people have influenced decision-makers, highlighted inequalities and helped shape better services for everyone. Read our full report to discover: ✓ The real stories behind the statistics ✓ The changes we've helped

What Would You Like to See? Health and care organisations across West Berkshire are coming together to explore a new way of working that puts communities at the heart of local health and wellbeing support. Representatives from the NHS, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), West Berkshire Council, voluntary organisations, community groups and other local partners are beginning conversations about how a neighbourhood health approach could work in practice across our communities. The

Healthwatch West Berkshire Supports the Lions "Message in a Bottle" Scheme When an emergency happens, every second counts. Emergency responders often need quick access to important information about a person's health, medications, allergies and emergency contacts. But what if the person is unable to communicate? That's where the Lions Message in a Bottle scheme can help. The scheme is simple, free, and could make a significant difference in an emergency. A small plastic bottl

Thousands of young people across England will be offered a free Meningitis B (MenB) vaccination this summer as part of a new one-off NHS programme designed to help protect students before they start university or residential further education. The programme follows concerns about a rise in MenB cases, including a significant outbreak in Kent earlier this year which became the largest and fastest-growing MenB outbreak ever recorded in the UK. Who is eligible? The vaccination p