There is just one pharmacy open across the borough this coming Bank Holiday Monday. The details are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change. You are advised to contact the pharmacy before attending to ensure they are open and have the medication you require. Get medical help with NHS 111 NHS 111 can also be used for less-urgent health concerns to get advice and information based on their individual specific symptoms. The service is available 24 hours a day, including weekends and bank holidays, and can be reached online at 111.nhs.uk or over the phone by calling 119. Reading Urgent Care Centre You can visit the Urgent Care Centre for quick and easy access to healthcare if you have an urgent medical need and treatment for minor illnesses. Please note the centre can not treat injuries. The centre is open 8am-8pm 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Address: 1st Floor, 103-105 Broad Street Mall, Reading, RG1 7QA More information, please visit the website here. In an emergency People experiencing a genuine, life-threatening health emergency, such as heavy bleeding, significant chest pain or loss of consciousness should seek help straight away by calling 999 or by visiting the nearest hospital emergency department.

Today the cost of an NHS prescription will increase to nearly £10, rising from £9.65 to £9.90 per item in England. A 12-month NHS prescription prepayment certificate, which covers all NHS prescriptions for a set price, increases from £111.60 to £114.50. Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said prescription charges in England should be scrapped. “This is a dark day for patients. Amid the cost of living crisis, the rise in prescription charges will hit working people on low incomes the hardest. The relentless annual increase in the prescription charge is making medicines unaffordable for many. This is totally unacceptable. Every day pharmacists are asked by patients who are unable to afford all the items in their prescription which ones they can ‘do without.'" Tase Oputu, Chairman - Royal Pharmaceutical Society Full details of the new charges from 1 May 2024: See if you are eligible for help The Government has a five-minute online survey that will let you know if you can get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests. More information and advice For more information and support paying for your prescriptions, check out the following resources: This leaflet for patients provides information on services that can help with health costs NHS help with costs helpline – 0300 330 1343 NHS website on help with costs Citizen's Advice guidance on health costs Macmillan information for those living with cancer Age UK advice on free prescriptions for over 60s Carers UK guidance for carers We want to hear your views and experiences (good or bad) on the price increase of prescriptions, contact us here.

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.

The new Pharmacy First scheme enables local pharmacies across Wokingham Borough to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. The NHS has launched a major transformation to try and make it easier for patients to access the care they need. What is Pharmacy First? Patients across Wokingham Borough, and the rest of the UK, can now get prescription-only treatment for seven common conditions at their local high street pharmacy, without seeing a GP.  This can include prescribing and supplying antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate. What conditions can be treated at my pharmacy? Your local pharmacy can now supply prescription-only treatment, if they believe you need it, for the following conditions: Sinusitis (for patients aged 12 years and over only) Sore throat (aged 5+) Earache (aged 1 year-17) Infected insect bite (aged 1 year+) Impetigo (aged 18 years+) Shingles (aged 18 years+) Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64) How does it work? If you are feeling unwell with any of these conditions, you can go to your local pharmacy and ask for a private consultation with the pharmacist. A GP practice may also refer you if they don’t have any appointments and believe your pharmacy can help. The 111 helpline service may also refer you. Pharmacists can also offer this service on-the-spot if you go in asking for general help. Pharmacists may offer a virtual consultation by phone or video call, or in person in a private room in the pharmacy. They will ask questions, may perform an examination and must get your consent to access your medical records. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best course of action based on your clinical needs. This might include issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary or advising you on over-the-counter treatments that could help. What are the benefits of the scheme? There are many benefits to the new scheme, helping to make care easier and more accessible. These benefits include: Pharmacies must offer the service during their opening hours, including late nights or weekends. It may be quicker to see your pharmacist than wait for an appointment with your GP. Pharmacy First – along with expanded Blood Pressure Check  and Oral Contraception services at pharmacies – could free up to 10 million GP appointments a year. How can my pharmacist supply a prescription-only medicine if they are not a doctor? Pharmacists must follow a strict NHS protocol (called a ‘patient group direction’) covering their own required knowledge and skills for the types of patients covered. This means that the supply of prescription-only medicines will be limited by age groups, and in one case, by gender. Will I have to pay for my advice or medication? The appointment and advice from a pharmacist are free to access. If you are recommended an over-the-counter medication, you will pay the costs of buying this. If you are supplied with a prescription-only medication, usual prescription charges would apply unless you qualify for free prescriptions. If you regularly require medication and are not exempt from prescription charges, you may be able to save money through a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). Find out what help you can get to pay for your prescriptions. How do I know if my local pharmacy is participating? Pharmacists across Berkshire including Wokingham Borough have been trained and are offering this service. Can I get oral contraception without a prescription? From December 2023 pharmacies began to start women on oral contraception (also known as ‘the Pill') for the first time, or re-start them after a break, without the person needing to see their GP first. This is an extension of the existing oral contraception service that let women go to pharmacies for repeat prescriptions, that had been initiated first by a GP. The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation to discuss your current medication and ensure it is the best option for your needs. Oral contraception is free on the NHS, and you will not be charged any prescription charges. To find a local pharmacy offering this service, click here. Can I still see my GP? You can still choose to visit your GP if you prefer. Pharmacy First offers an alternative route for treating the specific conditions mentioned above. Do you need Easy Read information on Pharmacy First? Download the Easy Read leaflet below. Share your views on Pharmacy First with us Have your voice heard and help to improve local services. Tell us what you think about this new pharmacy service (good or bad): Call: 0118 418 1418 Email: enquiries@healthwatchreading.co.uk Online: click here to complete a short online form.

NHS dental fees will go up by four per cent from 1 April. This is even though last year patients were faced with the steep increase of 8.5 per cent. New fees: £26.80 for Band 1 course of treatment £73.50 for Band 2 course of treatment £319.10 for Band 3 course of treatment You can check if you are eligible for free or reduced cost NHS dental treatment using the NHS eligibility checker at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check Responding, Chris McCann, Healthwatch England's director of campaigns said: “We are disappointed that the government has rejected our call to freeze NHS dental charges this year.“ Our latest research shows that one in five people are put off going to the dentist because of cost. This is up from 15% in March last year. Worryingly, 40% of those experiencing the greatest financial pressure said they had avoided going to the dentist because of cost, compared to just seven per cent of people who said were very comfortable. “The rise in dental charges is compounded by that fact that last year’s increase of 8.5% was the highest on record. “And while it’s true that some people are entitled to exemptions from NHS dental charges – they may not be able to benefit due to other dental pressures. We’ve heard from women during pregnancy and after birth, who don’t end up receiving free NHS dental care they’re entitled to, because they can’t find an NHS dentist able to see them during this period.“ There is a twin crisis of access and affordability in NHS dentistry that must be tackled. We’re calling on both DHSC and NHS England to ensure they fully promote the exemption categories and also the NHS Low Income Scheme which can partly but not fully cover dental charges for those who qualify.” Polling was carried out by Yonder between 26-28 January 2024 on a representative sample of 2008 people from England. Read more on what to do if you can't find an NHS dentist and what is happening in Wokingham Borough, here.

Make sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked for Easter weekend! You can help ease the pressure on local health services by making sure your medicine cabinet is fully stocked with the essentials, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, cold remedies, indigestion treatment and antihistamines, and by ordering repeat prescriptions in good time so that you don't run out. Pharmacies will be open over the Easter holidays. Local pharmacy teams are highly specialised and can help with various issues. They can provide advice on medication, help with your health condition and give you free face-to-face advice without an appointment. They can now treat 7 common conditions without you having to visit your GP first, read more about the new Pharmacy First Service. You can also download the NHS App to take control of your health and stay well. You can order repeat prescriptions on the app and nominate a pharmacy, saving you time and putting you in control of your health needs. When to phone NHS 111 When you need medical help fast but it is not an emergency, visit NHS 111 or call the NHS free phone number 111. The 111 service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you contact 111, you will be assessed, given advice and, if needed, patients will be directed to the most appropriate local health services. Calls to 111 are free wherever you call from If it is an emergency and someone needs help to save their life, call 999.

Access to NHS dental care continues to be one of the main issues we hear about from Wokingham Borough locals but it's an issue that is also affecting people across the whole of the UK. We've put together a Q&A to help you understand what is happening, what to do if you need an NHS dentist and what Healthwatch is doing to help make change. I am looking for an NHS dentist. Currently, no dentists are accepting new NHS patients across Wokinhgam Borough. Many dental practices have very long waiting lists. You can join more than one dental waiting list and they will contact you when a slot becomes available. Where can I check to find out if dentists are taking on NHS patients? You can visit or phone local dental practices to see if they are taking on NHS patients. You can also find a list of dentists taking on more patients on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services You can also visit the Dental Choices website – this is not part of the NHS but it lists NHS dentists taking on new NHS patients to their waiting lists: http://dentalchoices.org/find-a-dentist You can call NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre on 0300 311 2233 and they may be able to help you find the nearest dentist accepting NHS patients, but you may be asked to travel some distance to get an appointment. I have an urgent dental issue or emergency but no dentist, what should I do? You can: Phone NHS 111. They can book an emergency appointment for you. Phone any local NHS dentist and ask if they can give you a one-off NHS dental appointment. It is not possible to request treatment by e-mail. Book an urgent or emergency dental appointment only by phoning the dental practices listed below. Booking yourself an urgent or emergency dental appointment: These dental appointments are not for routine dental care/checkups. They are for urgent or emergency dental appointments. From 1st April if you do not have an NHS dentist and you fall under one of the cohorts below you will be able to book routine care/checkups, on-going treatment and urgents appointments: Urgent Need Clinically Vulnerable Looked After Children Extractions required before Orthodontic Treatment Care Home Residents (who are able to travel to practice) Expectant and nursing mothers Armed Forces family members Homeless patients Asylum Seekers/Refugees For further information on who these dental appointments are for, please click here. The dental practices that will see people for urgent or emergency care or routine care and checkups if you fall under the cohorts listed above, are listed below. These dental practices have been given special funding to offer additional dental appointments. Not all dentists offer these. Some of these dentists are outside of Wokingham Borough but you can still receive the urgent treatment you need at these if you are willing to travel. We advise that you phone the dental practices below as soon as they open each morning to book an appointment. Appointments get filled quickly. Please mention Healthwatch Wokingham Borough when you book your appointment: Smile Dental Care, 8-10 High Street, Twyford, RG10 9AE - 0118 832 1803 Winnersh Dental Practice, 410, Reading Road, Wokingham RG41 5EP - 0118 978 6385 Bespoke Dental Care/Gentle Dental Care, 6 Chapel Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5DG, 0118 945 2900 / 0118 945 5555 Westwood Dental Practice, 29 London Road, Slough SL3 7RP - 01753 522091 Smile Dental Centre, 24 High Street, Slough, SL1 1EQ - 01753 523410 Moonlight Dental Surgery, Wentworth Avenue, Slough, SL2 2DG - 01753 526301 SC Dental Studio, 281 Farnham Road, Slough, SL2 1JF - 01753 550888 Cippenham Dental Practice, 424 Bath Road, Cippenham, SL1 6JA - 01753 577017 What is the Community Dental Service - can I use this service? This service provides dental treatment for children and adults who cannot access treatment at general dental practices. Instead, dental services take place in hospitals, specialist health centres and mobile clinics, as well as home visits. This could be because of needing specialist care, disability, learning difficulties, language barriers, phobias etc. Some hospitals or health centres may be able to offer treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic. You can find out more about community dental services, here or by contacting NHS England on 0300 311 2233. What is Healthwatch Wokingham Borough doing about the dental crisis? We regularly monitor the NHS dental situation across the borough. We are in regular contact with NHS England - South East Dental and NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) to get the latest information on local dental services. BOB ICB is responsible for planning and funding NHS services for people across Berkshire West, including Wokingham Borough locals and dentistry services. NHS England - South East Dental deliver the dentistry service to you and Wokingham Borough locals. Healthwatch Wokingham Borough is an independent statutory body which means we have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers listen to your feedback. We ask locals to share their views, concerns and experiences on dentistry services. We then share your experiences anonymously with the teams mentioned above, and other local groups, so that they know the local issues, the impact of the crisis, and how to make changes to local services. Your feedback is also sent to our national body Healthwatch England and is used as evidence in debates and committee meetings with the UK government so that changes can be made to NHS dentistry across the UK.  Click here to find out more. Read more about the work our national body, Healthwatch England's has been doing, and its position on NHS dentistry here. More information on the UK Government's new dentistry plans published on 7th February 2024, can be read here. Share your views on local dentistry Have your voice heard and help to improve local services. Tell us what you think about local dental services (good or bad) or if you are unable to get the treatment that you need: Call: 0118 418 1418 Email: enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk Online: click here to complete a short online form.

Long wait times for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) support can have a severe impact on individuals. Our national body Healthwatch England looked at what people nationally have told them and we urge you to come forward to us if you have been affected locally. In several parts of England including Berkshire, people have reported extremely long waits for autism and ADHD support and faced challenges getting the care and medication they need. Healthwatch England looks at what people have told them, what steps the NHS can take to improve things and explain why we need more people waiting for ADHD or autism support to tell us your experience. What does Healthwatch England already know? As of June 2023, NHS ‘experimental’ data shows that 143,119 people were waiting for an autism assessment in England. NICE guidance states that no one should wait longer than three months between being referred and first being seen, but 83% of people reported that they have been waiting longer than 13 weeks. Although there is no official national data on waiting times for autism and ADHD services, Healthwatch England have heard about extremely long waits for ADHD and autism services from local Healthwatch teams. These reports, along with public feedback to other local Healthwatch including Healthwatch Wokingham Borough, have raised seven key questions: Do we need better national and local data to understand how long people are waiting for ADHD and autism assessments following a referral? Are the closures of services in some areas making the waiting times for remaining services longer? Are Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) being held accountable when local services close their waiting lists and no longer provide care? What are the impacts of not having enough specialist staff for services, and of ongoing medication shortages and delays? Is there support and information for people while they wait for a diagnosis? Are council and NHS support services working together effectively to help meet the needs of adults? And are these teams working with education teams to support children? Are patients turning to private providers for diagnosis, but then being denied treatment or medicines through their NHS GP? Do you have an experience you’d like to share? Do you have autism or have ADHD? Or are you struggling to get a diagnosis? We want to hear from you. Sharing your story with us can help us call for change. Click here to have your say. Why understanding people's experiences matters Hidden waits and delays in diagnosis To access support for ADHD and autism, people first must be referred by their GP and get a formal diagnosis. However, it is unclear where people can access the help they need across the country. Diagnosis is particularly challenging for people, with multiple appointments sometimes necessary to convince healthcare professionals of the need for further investigation. There can be long waits for initial referrals, and Healthwatch England has heard that it can take years for some individuals to get a diagnosis. "I was told it would "be a waste of resources" to send me to a specialist for further investigation, which made me feel I was not worth their time, effort or funding at a GP surgery who says they specialise in learning disabilities.I do not want a label as a way to make excuses for myself. I just want proof so I am able to better understand myself and have a better quality of life and get into work.”- Story shared with Healthwatch England Support for people while they wait As well as long waits for diagnosis, Healthwatch England have also heard that people are not always given information and support while they wait. Getting advice and resources to help you understand your condition and manage your mental health while you wait is important. Getting regular communications from the NHS services can also reassure you that you haven’t been forgotten. “[heard of] service user who has been impacted by long waits for an ADHD diagnosis. The service user has been waiting for an ADHD diagnosis for multiple years but has yet to be assessed. They have started purchasing ADHD medication online and are self-medicating, which professionals […] are concerned about.”- Story shared by Healthwatch Liverpool The impact on school and education Without a formal diagnosis, young people with suspected ADHD or autism may find it harder to access the support they need at school or full-time education. Access to this support, including an Education, Health and Care Plan and access to support workers, is often key to addressing the concerns of young people and their families. Delays in medication Healthwatch England have also heard stories of national shortages of ADHD medications. People who need and should have access to their medications are not always able to access it in the quantity or timescale they need. This includes some children who cannot attend school without access to their medication. This causes considerable concern, especially when there is a lack of clarity on when the problem may be resolved. “My adult daughter cannot fill her ADHD medication, nor be offered a different one, nor get an appointment!”- Story shared with Healthwatch England This feedback was backed up by a recent survey of people with ADHD, carried out by the charity ADHD UK. It found that just over a quarter (27%) of patients had received no medication since September 2023, with a third (33%) reporting that they had experienced “long gaps”. Concerningly, the survey found that 70% of respondents had rationed their own medicine because of the shortages. What is Healthwatch going to do about this? Many of the issues shared in this article are unfortunately not new. But following a sharp rise in stories across the country of long waits for assessment and poor experiences, Healthwatch England will investigate these issues further. As well as encouraging more people to share their experiences to help strengthen their evidence, Healthwatch England is speaking to national decision-makers to escalate the concerns we have heard. Healthwatch England are calling for the NHS to put a plan in place to: Improve commissioning of NHS services, so teams have the resources to meet demand. This should include modelling of unmet need across England. Support NHS teams with updated guidance, including on waiting well so that better support is provided to patients waiting for diagnosis. This should include signposting to resources and information that ensures patients are informed about ADHD and kept updated on how long they may be waiting for diagnosis. Commit to increasing the number of clinicians who specialise in support for ADHD and autism. Collect and publish national data on ADHD referrals and waiting times. Improve integration of services by bringing together key partners within integrated care systems to address long waits and join-up care for patients. Address issues with increasing numbers paying for private diagnoses not subsequently able to access medication through their GP due to concerns about the quality of diagnosis. Share your thoughts with us You can help make health and care services better by sharing your experiences and ideas. Call: 0118 418 1418 Email: enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk Online: click here to complete a short online form.

After the launch of our first Healthwatch Connect coffee morning in February, we're delighted to announce our next coffee morning dates up until June. The dates for your diary are: Tuesday 2nd April Tuesday 7th May Tuesday 18th June Just pop by from 11.30 to meet your Healthwatch team and locals, to get support, advice or information on local health and social care services, over a cup of tea/coffee and free refreshments. You can share your concerns, views and experiences (good or bad) about these services. Your feedback will be shared anonymously with the leaders and decision-makers of the local health and social care services to make improvements for everyone. It's a great opportunity for you to have your voice heard and make a difference. Everyone is welcome, including families. We have activities and toys for children. We look forward to seeing you at the next Healthwatch Connect coffee morning. Contact details: You can contact us by email at enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk or by contacting the office on 0118 418 1418.

Our national body Healthwatch England has used the experiences of care from over 10 million people across the UK (including residents in Wokingham Borough) collected over the past ten years and created a bold vision for the NHS in 2030. Find out where we think the NHS should be in six years and how it can get there. Where we are now Healthwatch England are presenting this vision at a time when the NHS faces the most significant pressures in its history. It's not surprising that confidence that the NHS can provide for everyone is being undermined, with 43% of people believing the NHS cannot meet the whole country's needs. Our vision therefore calls for a focus on three key themes: Making the NHS easier to access and navigate. Tackling health inequalities. Building a patient-centred culture. Making the NHS easier to access and navigate We all want to be seen quickly when we have new symptoms or concerns about our health. But alongside quicker access, patients also want simplicity at each touchpoint with the NHS. People told us they felt admin and communication can be slow, inefficient and sometimes lacking empathy. We want the NHS to consistently adopt an ‘excellent customer service’ ethos, ensuring people can get their queries answered and appointments booked. We also want patients to be able to access real-time information about their care, and have a two-way dialogue with those responsible for their care. Tackling health inequalities Health inequalities in England are stark and growing. Those living in the most deprived areas can expect to live in good health for a far shorter period compared to those in the least deprived areas. Multiple factors create these inequalities, but in healthcare people experience varying quality of care. We want the NHS to provide excellent care for everyone. Gaps in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy between the most well off and deprived areas should be falling by 2030. We are also calling for Integrated Care Systems to work with local councils to ensure communities get advice and support to prevent ill health, and that people with extra communication needs receive full support every time they interact with the NHS. Building a patient-centred culture in the NHS The majority of patients told us they felt respected by healthcare professionals. However, we see that the care experience varies considerably. The NHS still has a culture focused on the system’s business – not that of the patients. By 2030, we want a fundamental shift in the culture of the NHS so that there is a greater focus on listening to patients and acting on their experiences to improve care today and in the future. Downloads Download the full report Share your views, thoughts and experiences on local NHS services with us here.