About us Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Easy Read documents Healthwatch Information We are Healthwatch It starts with you Who we are and what we do We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We’re here to make sure that those running services put people at the heart of care. ​ Our sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. ​ We focus on ensuring that people’s worries and concerns about current services are addressed. ​ We work to get services right for the future. How we work We are here to listen to what you like about services and what you think could be improved. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. ​ Where possible, we will let you know when changes are planned to services in our community and help you have a say. We will also encourage those in charge of local care to involve you when changes are being planned to services. ​ You can also speak to us to find information about health and social care services available locally. Our approach People's views come first - especially those who find it hardest to be heard. ​ We champion what matters to you and work with others to find ideas that work. We are independent and committed to making the biggest difference to you. Our Advisory Group Find out about who our members are, what they do and find the latest meeting minutes by visiting the Advisory Group page. Our staff Our staff Alice Kunjappy-Clifton Lead Officer (and Authorised Enter and View Representative) Gráinne Colgan Digital Engagement Officer (and Authorised Enter and View Representative) Ian Mundwyler Engagement Officer Natasha Khan Engagement Officer Shamin Zafar Engagement Officer

Governance Documents Governance Structure and Terms of Reference Decision Making What does the Advisory Group do? Our Advisory Group works alongside the local team to play an important role in setting and maintaining the strategic direction of Healthwatch Wokingham Borough. It has a significant role to play, ensuring that Healthwatch Wokingham Borough adheres to its principles and purpose and operates in a moral and ethical way in the service of the local community. ​ The role includes: Formulating strategy and workplans with the local Manager Ensuring accountability for quality delivery of the strategy and workplan Shaping a positive culture Providing accountability to local people ​ The Advisory Group is formed of volunteers and lay people and is not responsible for the day to day running of Healthwatch Wokingham Borough. This is done by a small team of paid staff. Meetings Most of the Advisory Group’s meetings are held in public, with an opportunity to ask questions at the discretion of the chairman; these are not public meetings. There are certain decisions – who we represent and engage with, for example – which have to be taken in a meeting in public. The Advisory Group may hold some meetings in private, if there are confidential issues to discuss, or as briefings to develop our strategy. At other times, the Advisory Group may hold open meetings to capture the experiences of local people who use health or care service ​ Click on a meeting below to open/download a pdf version of meeting agenda/minutes. Meeting in public recording Date of meeting 6 February 2024 Click on the pdf icon on the left to listen to the meeting in full and view the presentation. Meeting Minutes Date of meeting 6 February 2024 Meeting minutes of our first Advisory Group meeting in public. Meeting minutes Date of meeting 24 January 2024 ​ Meeting minutes Date of meeting 28 November 2023 ​ Meeting minutes Date of meeting 18 July 2023 ​ Meeting minutes Date of meeting 16 May 2023 ​ Meeting minutes Date of meeting 3 March 2023 ​ Meeting minutes Date of meeting 7 February 2023 Meeting minutes for our first informal Advisory Group meeting with our new Advisory Group. Reports Reports can be found on our News & Reports page. Our Advisory Group members TBC Chair Clair Thorstensen-Woll Advisory Group member Clare Walsha Advisory Group member Graham Baker Advisory Group member Mike Rhodes-Peel Advisory Group member Sara Allison Advisory Group member

Accessibility Resources for desktops and laptops Modern desktop and laptop computer operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows and Apple's OS X have built-in accessibility tools and features, to help users navigate content locally on their machines and online. ​ To find out more about these features please use the relevant link below: ​ Microsoft Windows ​ Apple OS X

Our latest survey is closed and the results are in. A big thank you to everyone across Wokingham Borough who completed our What Matters to You survey to help us plan our next projects for the coming year and beyond. The team are reviewing all the comments and results which will inform our workplan. Our workplan will be published on this website once finalised. You can download the summary of results below. Take part in our project work If you'd like to take part in our projects for the coming year (social care at home, healthcare inequalities, Pharmacy First Service, youth health and maternal health), please contact us to register your interest and to find out more. Share your feedback with us If you'd like to share your views and feedback with us on local NHS and social care services (good or bad) so that we can make a difference and help staff deliver the best care possible for our community, please contact us. Contact us Call: 0118 418 1418 Email: enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk Online: click here to complete a short online form.

For some, particularly older people and those with a weakened immune system, COVID-19 can still be very dangerous and even life-threatening. COVID-19 vaccines offered by the NHS protect against the virus and help reduce the risk of serious illness. The vaccine has saved countless lives, prevented thousands from needing to go to hospital and helped us to live with the virus without fear or restrictions. Protection against COVID-19 (either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination) can fade over time and the virus can change so if you are at higher risk of severe illness you should top up your protection. This spring the NHS is offering COVID-19 vaccines to people who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus – including: people aged 75 and over (by 30 June 2024) residents of care homes for older adults people with a weakened immune system (as defined in the Green Book, chapter 14a; tables 3 and 4) Vaccinations start on 15th April for residents in care homes for older adults and eligible housebound people. All other eligible people can book their appointment from 15 April, with vaccinations starting from 22nd April. Spring vaccinations will be available until 30 June 2024. The NHS will invite those eligible but you do not need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine. Booking a spring COVID-19 vaccine is simple and easy if you are eligible: Download the NHS App and make an appointment. More information can be found here about the NHS app. Visit www.nhs.uk/book-vaccine Call 119 for free if you can’t get online (translators are available) There are also some walk-in options – to find out what is available visit: www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in Getting your COVID-19 vaccine is very convenient, with thousands of appointments across the country every day (usually in pharmacies and GP practices). If you or your child are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine this spring, make sure you come forward for this extra protection. For all the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination.

Measles cases have risen across the UK. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus. Most children recover from measles without complications, but in some, it can be more severe and lead to admission to hospital. To learn about the symptoms of measles, check out the NHS website. What is the measles vaccine? The NHS advises that children receive two vaccine doses to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella. The measles vaccine is also known as MMR vaccine - protecting you against all three of measles, mumps and rubella in one dose. The vaccine is given in two doses: the first dose when the child is one year old and the second when they are three years and four months old. Both doses are needed for the best protection. The NHS advises that the MMR vaccine is safe, effective and the best protection for your child. Although there have been historic concerns that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism, there is no evidence of this. Several studies have been conducted and found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Need to arrange a vaccine? If you need to get your child's MMR vaccine or check if your child is fully protected, contact your local GP practice. Who is at risk? People most at risk are: Babies Young children Pregnant women People with a weakened immune system. These groups are most at risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing rare complications such as hearing loss, meningitis or pneumonia. How does measles spread? Measles spreads when you have close contact with other people. For example, it tends to spread quickly in schools and nurseries. The virus can be spread by: Coughing or sneezing Direct skin-to-skin contact Sharing cutlery, cups, towels, clothes or bedding. How to prevent measles from spreading To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, always be careful to: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of any used tissues immediately. If you think you or your child might have measles, contact your GP practice and speak to your doctor immediately. They will advise you on treatment options and how long you will be contagious.