News
#WhatMattersMost halfway results: GP services are main focus for Healthwatch in East Berkshire
Our survey has had over 200 responses within the first few weeks, with people telling us about both positive and negative experiences of health and...
Autism Awareness Week
Support for World Autism week is needed now more than ever. The coronavirus pandemic has been particularly tough for many autistic people and their...
What Matters Most Survey
As we are a n ewly formed Healthwatch service ( covering Ascot, Bracknell Forest, Ma idenhead, Slough and Windsor ) we need your help to shape our...
Beat the Heat: Coping with heat and COVID-19
Although most of us welcome the summer sun, high temperatures can be harmful to your health. The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm. Many of those who are at risk of harm from heat are also at greater risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 and may need to...
Accessibility resources to help you communicate about COVID-19
The CQC have put together a list of resources to help people communicate with others about COVID-19. Beyond Words is providing free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through the coronavirus pandemic Imperial College London, in partnership...
Safeguarding is everyone's business
No child or adult should be made to feel unsafe. Everyone has a right to be safe from harm and abuse. All of us have a role to play in safeguarding, never more so than during COVID-19. You have a major role to play in protecting children and adults at risk of harm and abuse – now more than ever...
All those in United Kingdom with symptoms now eligible for coronavirus tests
Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus is now eligible to book a test, ahead of the rollout of the test and trace service. Anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough; high temperature; and now also a loss or change in your normal sense of smell or taste can book a test by visiting www.nhs.uk/...
Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies are still there and able to provide support to those who need it. They help people who might be struggling with feeling stressed, anxious and overwhelmed. They support those aged 17+ registered with a GP in Berkshire. Those in need of support can contact their friendly and...
The Care Workers Charity
Covid-19 Emergency Fund The Care Workers' Charity Covid-19 Grant Fund aims to provide emergency funding for currently employed care workers who must take time off work due to Covid-19 for either illness or self-isolation or for funeral costs. Applicants must work in role that is involved in or...
Coronavirus COVID-19: What you need to do
Information on coronavirus Read the latest advice and information from the Government , NHS and Public Health England about Coronavirus. How to avoid catching or spreading germs Do: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. Put used tissues in...
Cruse Breavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care was founded in 1959. They are a national charity providing free advice, information and support to adults, young people and children who are struggling to cope with grief arising from bereavement whenever or however the death occurred. Helpline is 01344 411919. At the moment...
Dying Matters
How do we respond when someone wants to discuss death, or grief, or their will or funeral plans with us? It's too easy to dodge that conversation with a joke or a "maybe later." But we know it's hard for people to talk about death and the practical aspects of getting ready for it. So when someone...
Respect and compassion crucial in delivering high-quality health and care services
Health and care staff across the Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System know that showing respect and compassion to patients and service users is essential in getting their treatment right. Staff across the system are committed to maintaining this high standard for all patients and service...
Dementia Action Week
This week would have been Dementia Action Week. While it’s been postponed until later in the year, it’s more important than ever that there is support for people affected dementia. Right now there are 700,000 people with dementia whose lives have been turned upside down by coronavirus. More than...
Support available for drug and/ or alcohol addiction during COVID-19 pandemic
Bracknell Forest Council News Release. Bracknell Forest residents who are concerned about the amount of alcohol they are drinking or an addiction to drugs can access remote support via New Hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Hope provides a friendly, free and confidential service to anybody who...
Free online counselling and wellbeing platform for children and young people
Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform, recommissioned by NHS East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group for children and young people aged 11-19 (11– 25 for children with Special Educational Needs and care leavers). The confidential service provides a safe way for to...
Coping with family life during lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of sudden changes for families with children. Parenting can be very rewarding. However, in these uncertain and challenging times you may be feeling stressed as you try to balance work, childcare and self-care while dealing with worries – both your children's...
Safer sleep advice for your baby
The Lullaby Trust have put together some advice and guidance for parents and carers. These include FAQs designed to try to answer some questions parents and carers may have such as: How do I self-isolate and keep my baby safe Should I bedshare if I am unwell? What do I do if my baby has a...
New websites launched to help jobseekers and employers
COVID-19 has had a huge impact on many parts of the labour market, with some sectors reducing in size and others expanding rapidly. To help jobseekers find work in new areas and employers tap into new labour markets, the Department for Work and Pensions launched new jobhelp and employerhelp...
Coronavirus: How you can support people with dementia in your community
Five top tips for individuals volunteering their time in the coronavirus response from the Alzheimer's Society. Innovations in Dementia Community Interest Company (CIC) has produced four short videos to inform volunteers about supporting people with dementia.
NHS services are here for you
Don’t delay in getting urgent treatment if you need it – that’s the message to members of the public in a major new NHS campaign. People’s concerns about coronavirus and a fear of being a burden on health services have led to a significant drop in the numbers of people seeking treatment in recent...
Leading cancer clinician urges people not to put off seeking help for cancer symptoms
A leading cancer clinician is backing national calls for people not to put off seeking help for cancer symptoms amidst fears of Covid-19. Dr Anant Sachdev is a GP in East Berkshire who plays a leading role in regional cancer care. He is advising people not to hesitate to get checked, as new...
Businesses Against Scams
In light of recent events concerning COVID-19 (coronavirus), people are working from home more than ever. Increased stress, less opportunities to talk to colleagues and a different working environment are all things that criminals are using to their advantage to commit fraud. Employees are having...
Temporary suspension of minor injury and illness services at Bracknell Urgent Care Centre
Received from East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group. Minor illness and injury services at the Bracknell Urgent Care Centre will be temporarily suspended as part of the national effort to combat Covid-19 (coronavirus). In recent weeks, local health services have changed the way they work in...
CAMHS Resources
This site was created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of helpful resources from across the internet that are available to help support your mental health and well-being.
Experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Care Quality Commission in the normal course of their work engage with patients, public, family carers, providers, national stakeholders and people from seldom heard groups. Due to Covid-19 they are unable to do any face to face engagement so they are using online channels to hear people's...
Increase In Thefts from Motor Vehicles
Received via Thames Valley Alert. There have been an increasing number of thefts from motor vehicles across the Bracknell area. Most car criminals are opportunists. By following the below tips you can help outsmart car thieves and limit their opportunity to steal your valuables or vehicle. Don’t...
On Demand Remote BSL Interpreting Service
The Deaf Health Charity, SignHealth and online interpreting company InterpreterNow, have together launched ‘BSLHealthAccess’ which enables the provision of immediate, on demand access to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for communication with Deaf people in health settings free of charge...
