The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has produced its latest estimates of mortality and described recent changes in its estimates in this informative blog post . With the new understanding life expectancies for both males and females at age 65 have reduced by over a year since 2015. The new understanding of changing mortalities is that mortality had decreased at about 2% per year from 2000 to 2011 but slowed to 0.5% per year after 2011. People are expected to now see slower improvements than previously thought and are consequently expected to die earlier than previously thought. The slower anticipated change in mortalities imply that estimates of life expectancy at age 65 have declined by over a year since 2015.

South Reading Patient Voice meets at 6pm on Wednesday, 27th February 2019 at 94, London Road RG1 4SJ. Victoria Parker, director of communications and public engagement for the Berkshire West integrated Care System will speak and answer questions. Please look through the attached presentation on development of primary care before the meeting. We will also discuss local matters. Please bring along any news of your Patient Participation Group (PPG) or local GP practice.

South Reading Patient Voice meets at 6pm on Wednesday 30th January 2019 at RCLC, 94, London Street, RG1 4SJ We will hear a talk about Pain and some recent research by Richard Harrison as well as reports from Healthwatch and Patient Participation Groups.

South Reading Patient Voice holds its AGM on Wednesday, 28th October at RCLC, 94, London Street, RG1 4SJ. There wlll be a review of the year, election of officers and reports from Healthwatch and Patient Participant Groups.

South Reading Patient Voice will be meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, 31st October 2018 in the Boardroom of the Royal Berkshire Hospital to hear a presentation of the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's 7 year strategy from Andrew Statham, Director of Strategy with the trust. Please assemble near the reception desk on the 1st floor of the main entrance of the hospital on Craven Road, Reading (lifts available from ground floor entrance).

The NHS Long-Term plan includes targets for increased screening and earlier cancer detection. According to an article in Pulse magazine, every patient will be covered by a Primary Care Network, whether or not their GP practice itself takes part. According to CCG documents the locality-based GP alliances will be responsible for these extra services, which will be organised through "clusters" of practices. The additional services will be introduced over the next few years. Geographical coverage and governance arrangements are to be resolved by 1st July 2019.

The Berkshire West CCG Governing Body will meet in public at 9.30 - 12.30 on Tuesday, 12th March 2019, at 57-59, Bath Road, Reading RG30 2BA. Details can be found via this web page on the CCG web site . Those wishing to attend should register by noon the day before the meeting. Questions can be submitted in advance.

The Reading Health and Wellbeing Board meets at 2pm in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Bridge Street on Friday, 15th March. Questions for the Board should be submitted ASAP.

South Reading Patient Voice meets at 6pm on Wednesday, 27th March 2019 at Reading Community Learning Centre to hear a talk on "The NHS App" by Mary Hannah Hudson of NHS England. We will also hear and discuss local health and healthcare matters, hearing from local Patient Participation Groups and from Reading Healthwatch.

The Primary Care Commissioning Committee for Berkshire West (Newbury and District, Reading and Wokingham) will meet at 1pm on Wednesday, 10th April 2019 at the Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ. For full details please see the CCG web page on this meeting. It is necessary to register by noon on the day before the meeting in order to attend. Please also consult that web page for details on submitting questions to the committee.