Newsletter: June 2025

 

Welcome

This newsletter provides information about SHMC and how we work. 

 

PPGs

All practices are expected to have a PPG to represent their patients. The aim is to strengthen the relationship between GPs and their patients and support the education of patients with changes that take place.

Most PPGs have an in-person committee who meet several times a year and a virtual panel.

 

Patient Panel

Patient Panel represents all PPGs from across the area sharing good practice and wider patient concerns.

Patient Information Point (PIP) at West Berkshire Community Hospital provides information on a wide range of health conditions, health or social care.

 

West Berks Community Support Hub 

Are you wanting to give some time and support to help others? The Community Support Hub brings people together to match those who need help/support with those who have the time and skills to be involved. This could include mental health support and practical help such as offering to pick up shopping or medication, being at the end of the phone for a chat for those who are feeling lonely, walking the dog, and signposting to various other groups.

 

Patient Advice and Liaison Service 

 

Social Prescribers

Your GP can refer you to our Social Prescriber if they feel it will be of benefit. Social Prescribers can offer time, a safe space and signpost to appropriate local services.  

 

Physician Assistants

Physician Assistants support GPs with capacity. They are trained in carrying out consultations to gain the information required, relating to the condition. PA’s are debriefed by a GP after every clinic to review each case and confirm next steps.

 

Practice Nurses

Practice Nurses see patients for vaccinations, dressings, chronic disease reviews, sexual health, contraception, blood pressure and much more.

 

Advance Nurse Practitioners

Advance Nurse Practitioners can examine patients and develop treatment plans acting as a primary care provider. They can diagnose and treat illnesses and manage the care of patients with diverse needs, depending on their specialty.

 

Pharmacists 

Pharmacists are experts in medicine and can support with minor health concerns. They are qualified healthcare professionals and can offer some clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for minor illnesses. They have 5 years clinical training, and a wealth of experience but will inform you if an appointment with your GP is required.

 

Integrated Care Board (ICB) 

An Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a statutory body in the UK, established under the Health and Care Act 2022, to plan and oversee healthcare services within a specific area. It forms part of the Integrated Care System (ICS), which aims to improve how NHS systems work together with local councils, and other partners to improve health.

ICBs are responsible for:

  • Effectively giving out NHS resources
  • Commissioning local services, such as primary care, community care, and secondary care
  • Addressing health inequalities within their population. 
  • Making sure there is better coordination of local health and care services.

ICBs replaced Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to promote more integrated and holistic healthcare approaches. Do you want to dive into any particular aspect of their work?

Get Involved

 

Recycle your blister packs at Boots Pharmacies

They also recycle health, beauty and wellness packaging.

 

A New Outreach Service

A new outreach service has been commissioned to boost take-up of free NHS Health Checks.

The NHS Health Check provides you with a free check-up of your overall health. 

To increase participation, West Berkshire Council has commissioned Solutions4Health to deliver these checks for eligible residents aged between 30 and 74. The check takes around 30 minutes and involves:

  • measuring your height and weight
  • measuring your waist
  • a blood pressure check
  • a cholesterol test
  • a blood sugar test

During the check you will discuss how to reduce the risk of being affected by a health condition, as well as have the chance to talk about mental health and wellbeing.

Eligible residents will be contacted directly inviting them to attend or you can book directly by phoning 0800 772 0056 or emailing WestBerkshire.CWOS@nhs.net

There will be mobile clinics across the district, and you can just drop in if preferred.   

 

Can you help with research?

There are a number of vaccines being identified and safety-tested at the moment, but only large scale studies can give scientists the information needed about how effective they are. The new NHS COVID-19 vaccine research registry will help speed up scientists’ search for people willing to be involved in vaccine studies. This could potentially lead to an effective vaccine against coronavirus being identified and made available to the UK public earlier. Sign up to be contacted for coronavirus vaccine studies and give permission for researchers to contact you about taking part in the UK.

Published: Aug 14, 2025