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

Ways to get involved People want health and care that works for them. Our job is to help make this happen, but we need to hear from you to understand what matters. Whether you have a couple of minutes to spare, or can commit to something longer, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Have your say Share your story Have your say The more people share their experiences about NHS and social care, the more services can understand what works, what doesn’t and what people want from care in the future. Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteers play a vital role in helping people have their say on health and social care. Volunteering with Healthwatch can help you develop skills, gain experience and make a difference to your community. Work with us Work with us Work with us View jobs Find out more about ways you can work with us and view any current opportunities with our team.

We want to hear from you We're collecting your stories and experiences about GP surgeries, Dentists, Pharmacies and all other health and social care services. Tell us about your experiences and help shape the future of care. Have your say News & Views To see all news posts, click here Nov 2023: Need urgent or emergency dental care? Use the NHS additional hours scheme. The local and national dentistry crisis continues. The team continues to see borough residents struggling to register and/or find... In conversation: Dr Amit Sharma on improved GP services Dr Amit Sharma, GP Partner, Brookside Group Practice, Wokingham talks about how the practice has improved services for all its patients... How to stay well this winter Top tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need. Winter conditions present an increased risk to our health,... You as a organisation seem to be the only people with any concern for which I thank you. Anon Upcoming events To see all events, click here No upcoming events at the moment Sign up for our news letter Email First Name Last Name I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Subscribe Thank you for subscribing Newsletter Signup

Have your say Sharing your opinions and telling your stories about your experiences with health and social care helps us to see the bigger picture. ​ This helps health and social care services to see what's going right and what's not, which allows them to focus on providing the best possible service to you. ​ Complete the short form below to have your say ... What type of service would you like to tell us about? (select all that apply) GP services Dentist Pharmacies Hospital inpatient (day treatment or overnight) Hospital outpatients' appointments Mental health support Social care eg care homes Accident and emergency/minor injury units Ambulances and paramedics NHS 111 Other (please tell us about it in the message box below) Enter your first name here Enter your last name here Enter your email address here Enter your message here I want to subscribe to the newsletter I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Submit Thank you for sharing your views with us

Accessibility Resources for phones & tablets Modern smart devices running Google's Android and Apple's iOS 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: ​ Android ​ ​ iPhone

Find services It can sometimes be difficult to know how to find the services you need. ​ We've put together a list of resources which can help you. Alternatively, you can get in touch and we'll try to help you find what you're looking for. Local services Wokingham Council maintain a directory of local services that can provide help and support. Directory NHS online 111 online can tell you: ​ where to get help for your symptoms, if you're not sure what to do how to find general health information and advice where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine how to get a repeat prescription 111 online Find a dentist By entering your town or postcode, this website can help you find local dentist surgeries and tell you how to contact them. Find a dentist Social care & support This website can help you to find information on a range of social care & support resources available to you. Social care

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Advice & information Healthwatch Wokingham 2 days ago Nov 2023: Need urgent or emergency dental care? Use the NHS additional hours scheme. The local and national dentistry crisis continues. The team continues to see borough residents struggling to register and/or find... Healthwatch Wokingham Oct 17 In conversation: Dr Amit Sharma on improved GP services Dr Amit Sharma, GP Partner, Brookside Group Practice, Wokingham talks about how the practice has improved services for all its patients... Healthwatch Wokingham Sep 19 How to stay well this winter Top tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need. Winter conditions present an increased risk to our health,... 1 2 3 4 5

Events We run and attend multiple events throughout the year, check the calendar below to see what we've got coming up. November 2023 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Surveys & polls Live surveys & polls Here you can find all of our live surveys & polls. Sharing your thoughts and opinions on a range of health and social care topics helps us to take action and make the changes you want to see. Results Here you can find the results of past surveys & polls.