Healthwatch Wokingham Borough

23/01/2026

💙 Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 💙

This week is an important reminder of just how vital regular cervical screening is. Prevention really does work - cervical screening saves up to 2,000 lives every year in the UK.

If you’re invited for screening, please don’t ignore it. This simple appointment can spot changes early, before cancer ever develops. It’s quick, routine, and it could save your life.

If you’re feeling unsure or worried, you are not alone. We’ve shared clear, supportive information on what to expect at a screening and how to manage any concerns.

Find out more here and take that important step for your health 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/jxbzuggkvt

Cervical cancer screenings save at least 2,000 lives every year in the UK. Here's what you should expect from your smear test and why these screenings are important.One in 142 women in the UK will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime. A cervical cancer screening, better known as a sme...

21/01/2026

✨ ✨

Our team are out and about this week! Come and see us at:
📍 Wokingham Library – Thursday 22nd January
📍 Lower Earley Library – Friday 23rd January

⏰ 10:00am – 11:30am

Pop by for free drinks and biscuits and chat with our friendly team about local health and social care services.

We’d love to see you there! Wokingham Borough Libraries

Join us in January for our Cosy Coffee Mornings 10am – 11:30am. Free hot drinks and biscuits are served. We are also joined by our healthwatch team this month. Healthwatch acts as the collective voice of the public for health and social care in our borough. Just drop-in!
Woodley Library – January 8th & 15th
Wokingham Library – January 22nd
Lower Earley Library – January 23rd

15/01/2026

of NHS Online - a new national online hospital that will be launching next year?

The NHS is launching NHS Online, a new digital service to make specialist care faster and easier. You’ll be able to:

💻 Get GP referrals to the online hospital
🎥 Have video appointments with specialist doctors from across England (not just local specialists)
🏠 Be monitored from home
⏱️ Access care more quickly

At launch in 2027, NHS Online will focus on women’s health, prostate, eye, and other long-term conditions.

We'd love to hear what you think. Contact us or leave your comment below so we can share your anonymous feedback with the local and national NHS. Your voice matters!

📲 0118 418 1418
✉️ enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk

For more information on NHS Online

You can read more here👇

The NHS is launching a new online hospital service, called NHS Online, designed to make it quicker and easier for people to access specialist care without always needing to visit a hospital in person.It will begin seeing its first patients next year, aiming to modernise healthcare by using digital t...

14/01/2026

From January 2026, Sue Ryder will expand palliative and end-of-life care across Berkshire West and South Oxfordshire, which includes Wokingham Borough. They will help more people stay comfortable and supported, often in their own homes.

New services include Hospice at Home, a Virtual Ward, specialist nursing, therapy, bereavement support, and an out-of-hours advice line for families.

Find out more about the new services and how they will support local communities, by clicking below 👇

https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/sue-ryder-to-reach-more-people-with-end-of-life-care

Healthcare charity Sue Ryder has been awarded a major new NHS contract to grow its compassionate palliative and end-of-life care services across Wokingham Borough, Reading, Newbury and South Oxfordshire.  Starting in January 2026, the new services will help more local people living with life-limit...

07/01/2026

With the arrival of the cold snap South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has seen a 20% increase in calls to their 999 control room in the last week, compared to Christmas week.

Kirsten Willis-Drewett, assistant director of operations said:
"Whilst we aim to respond to less urgent issues within 2-3 hours, unfortunately, for some patients over the last week, that wait time has been significantly longer.

"I would urge people who can make their own way to hospital or an urgent treatment centre to do so. Arriving by ambulance doesn't mean you get seen quicker than other patients, and a lift from a friend or a taxi may get you there sooner."

Read more here: https://ow.ly/VonY50XSsOX

The Met Office is advising of ongoing yellow snow and ice warnings across our area until Sunday 11 January. Take extra care when out and about, especially when driving, and be prepared for disruptions to travel. Don’t forget to give our ambulances extra space if the roads are slippery! 🚑❄️

06/01/2026

Join our Engagement Officers at Wokingham Borough Libraries Cosy Coffee Mornings this January and talk to us about your views and experiences of local health and social care services.

We’ll be at Woodley, Wokingham and Lower Earley libraries
🕙 10am – 11:30am
📍Everyone welcome - just drop in. No booking needed!

Hope to see you there! More info below 👇

Join us in January for our Cosy Coffee Mornings 10am – 11:30am. Free hot drinks and biscuits are served. We are also joined by our healthwatch team this month. Healthwatch Wokingham Borough acts as the collective voice of the public for health and social care in our borough. Just drop-in!
Woodley Library – January 8th & 15th
Wokingham Library – January 22nd
Lower Earley Library – January 23rd

24/12/2025

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Healthwatch Wokingham Borough this past year and taken the time to share their views and experiences, whether online, over the phone, or at one of our engagement events.

To our amazing volunteers, partners and community — thank you for your hard work, commitment and continued support throughout the year. We’re incredibly grateful for everything you do to help make local services better for the people of Wokingham Borough, and beyond.

We wish you all a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to connecting with you all in the new year.
https://f.mtr.cool/delfheueei

23/12/2025

🎄 Need health support this Christmas? 🎄

From pharmacy opening times to NHS 111, mental health support and urgent dental care, our guide has everything you need to know over the festive period 👇

Below, you’ll find helpful information and guidance, including local pharmacy opening times and advice on how to access urgent dental treatment if needed.Should you have a medical emergency during the festive season,please call 999. NHS 111Contact NHS 111 for all non-urgent medical help or advice,...

17/12/2025

🎄 Christmas and New Year Pharmacy Opening Hours 🎄

Local pharmacy opening hours over the Christmas and New Year holiday period for Wokingham Borough and the surrounding areas 👇

💊 Pharmacists can also help with health concerns and minor illnesses, including: coughs, colds, sore throats, earache, shingles, sinusitis and UTIs, without needing a GP.

If you need advice:
➡️ Speak to your local pharmacist
➡️ Use NHS 111 for out-of-hours support

https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/local-pharmacy-christmas-and-new-year-opening-hours

With the Christmas holidays just around the corner, we'd like to remind everyone to stock up their medicine cabinets and ensure repeat prescriptions are ordered in time for the holidays.Many local pharmacies will be closed or operating reduced hours throughout the Christmas period. However, there ar...

17/12/2025

Winter illness is no fun for anyone. Booking a vaccine takes a couple of minutes and can save you days of misery.

Check available appointments for adults and children here: https://ow.ly/aFKh50XIlAc

17/12/2025

Resident doctors (formerly called junior doctors) will be taking industrial action from 7 am today until Monday 22 December as part of a national strike in England.

This will impact Royal Berks Hospital...

• A&E and emergency services will stay open, but waiting times may be longer than usual

• Some routine and non-urgent appointments or operations may be postponed

• If your appointment is affected, the hospital will contact you directly

• If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned

For more information 👇

27/11/2025

📣 There's still time to have your say on the NHS App!

We want to hear from all residents, all ages and all communities about your experience with the NHS App or why you may not be using it.

Every experience helps us understand what’s working and what isn’t, so we can share your views with local and national healthcare leaders and push for meaningful change.

📝 Fill in our quick, anonymous survey 👉 https://sholink.to/NHSAppSurvey

ℹ️ We’ve also created a helpful NHS App info & guidance page, bringing together tips, support, and useful resources all in one place 👉 https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/nhs-app-information-page

If you or someone you know would rather share feedback another way, our team is out and about in the community and can provide paper surveys or alternative options.

Your voice will help shape better digital healthcare for everyone across the borough.

Welcome to our NHS App information page. This is your one-stop page for support and guidance. Whether you're just getting started or want to learn more, we’ve got you covered. If you can’t use the NHS App on your mobile phone, you can still access the same services through the NHS website.You ca...