For those needing treatment for cancer there is now a very informative web site produced by the Macmillan charity and the NHS. There is not only a good deal of information but also a very clear impression of the professionalism and very great expertise that is involved in these forms of treatment.

Macmillan Cancer Support - a source of support for all those afffected by cancer - providing information and advice, funding specialist nurses. With NHS support publishes comprehensive assessments and details for cancer treatment centres.

For those needing treatment for cancer there is now a very informative web site produced by the Macmillan charity and the NHS. There is not only a good deal of information but also a very clear impression of the professionalism and very great expertise that is involved in these forms of treatment.

South Central Ambulance Service Trust is looking for new public governors. Prospective governors are invited to workshops on 8th or 11th September. The AGM of the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust takes place at the Gateway Conference Centre, Aylesbury, Bucks on 24th September (same day as BHFT!)

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - provider of metnal health services, communiity nursing servces and other community services in Berkshire - holds its AGM on Wednesday, 24th September at 2pm (refreshments from 1.30pm) at Easthampstead Baptist Church, South Hill Road, Bracknell, RG12 7NS. This is a members' meeeting. It is straightforward to join using the online application form. If attending please inform communications officer Jade O'Connor. Read all about it in the latest members newsletter.

A People's March for the NHS is making its way from Jarrow to London following the route of the Jarrow Crusade of 1936. It's last leg on Saturday, 6th of September takes it from Edmonton to Trafalgar Square, arriving around 3:30 pm for a final rally.

We will be meeting between 6pm and 7:30pm on Wednesday, 24th September 2014 at 6pm in the lower meeting room behind Wycliffe Baptist Church, Cemetery Junction (see forthcoming Agenda for directions) . Our main item will be a talk and discussion led by Dr Elizabeth Johnston, retiring chair of the South Reading CCG Governing Body, on the experiences and lessons from leading eight years of clinical commissioning for South Reading, up to the first years of operation of the South Reading Clinical Commissioning Group under the new NHS structure.

 We will be meeting between 6pm and 7:30pm on Wednesday, 24th September 2014 at 6pm in the Communicare Office behind Wycliffe Baptist Church, Cemetery Junction (see forthcoming Agenda for directions) . Our main item will be a talk and discussion led by Dr Elizabeth Johnston, retiring chair of the South Reading CCG Governing Body, on the experiences and lessons from leading eight years of clinical commissioning for South Reading, up to the first years of operation of the South Reading Clinical Commissioning Group under the new NHS structure.

Public Health departments of Berkshire local authorities are preparing a Suicide Prevention Strategy for Berkshire West CCGs and Local Authorities. A report on suicide can be read on the Reading Healthwatch web site. After stakeholder consultation in July/August 2014, the strategy will be presented to CCGs for approval in August/September 2014, and to Health and Wellbeing Boards of local authorities in December 2014. Comments could be forwarded to Karen Grannum, Manager at South Reading CCG.

At the SRPV meeting on 30th July 2014 members heard John Taylor, Acting Commercial Director of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Foundation Trust describe how the Trust's new five-year plan differs from its plans a year ago. Slide 3 of the attached document shows that the plan agreed with the 4 Berkshire West CCGs proposes increases in A&E activity of 7% over 5 years (as opposed to 20-33% in last year's plan) and births at RBH would rise to 6000 a year by 2019 (as opposed to 8000 a year as proposed last year). The CCGs are hoping to manage the demand for A&E and RBH maternity services to meet the new plan which they have pressed for. The CCGs do have plans to move care into the community - but it remains to be seen whether these figures can be achieved. Even with the revised plan the Trust is likely to move into deficit beyond 2017. The future of the Trust will be in the hands of local and national government and it will be up to the people of Berkshire West, served by the Trust, ultimately to decide its future.