Advice & information

In November and December 2025, Healthwatch West Berkshire was asked by MP Lee Dillon to map how residents give feedback about local health and social care services. Our objective was simple: To understand how easy it is for residents to raise concerns, share experiences or make complaints. What We Found We identified over 140 separate feedback pathways across West Berkshire. While this suggests choice, the reality is a fragmented system with no clear “front door.” Feedback ro

In September 2025, the NHS England introduced Jess’s Rule  , a new patient-safety initiative designed to reduce missed or delayed diagnoses in general practice. The rule is named after Jessica Brady, who tragically died from cancer in 2020 after visiting her GP more than 20 times with ongoing symptoms before receiving a diagnosis. Her family campaigned for change to help prevent similar cases in the future. Jess’s Rule encourages a simple approach: “Three strikes and rethink

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has refreshed its five-year strategy (2025–2030), setting out how it plans to improve patient care and lead local health transformation. The updated strategy was shaped by input from 2,400 patients, community members, staff, volunteers and partners and it aligns with the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan and places a strong emphasis on innovation and modern healthcare delivery. Key priorities include: Empowering patients  to take an active role in