Healthwatch Wokingham Borough

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...

26/11/2025

📣Calling all young carers
NHS England, Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC and Department for Education are hosting online workshops for young carers to share experiences, discuss challenages to help make support better 👇

25/11/2025

This week, our engagement team will be at the following community gatherings across the borough 👇

Come along and meet us 🙂
Please share your views on local health and social care, and tell us what you think of the NHS app.

For full details of where we'll be for the remaining part of November 👉 https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/out-and-about-with-the-team-in-november

19/11/2025

Today is International Men’s Day 💙

Mental health matters every day, but today is an important reminder of the importance of men’s mental health and well-being.

men in England continue to face worse health outcomes than women. They experience higher rates of heart disease, cancer, and su***de, one of the leading causes of death for men under 50.

Healthwatch England's recent research shows that these inequalities are reinforced by gaps in awareness, understanding, and engagement with health services.

At Healthwatch, we’re committed to helping improve access to services, quality of care, information, and support.

Read more about the latest Healthwatch men's health research and recommendations to NHS England 👇

If you’re looking for advice on caring for your mental health or supporting someone who’s struggling, you’ll find lots of helpful information, along with local and national support options 👉 https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/looking-after-your-mental-health

Latest research from our national body, Healthwatch England has found that 1 in 5 men are now using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube - and almost 1 in 10 are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots for information on staying healthy.Men in England often face worse health outcomes....

19/11/2025

Together with Met Office, we have updated our Cold Health Alert for a number of English regions from 12pm Monday until 8am Saturday.

Find out where is affected on our Data Dashboard: https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/?v=map&type=cold

18/11/2025

Bacteria are becoming resistant to medicines faster than ever, turning once-treatable infections into potentially life-threatening conditions. This growing crisis is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
We all have a part to play in slowing it down.

Here’s how you can help 👇
✅ Don’t use antibiotics for colds or flu – they’re caused by viruses, not bacteria.
✅ Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional.
✅ Always complete the full course – even if you feel better.
✅ Never share or save antibiotics for later.

This week is World Antimicrobial Awareness Week - Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future. you can return any unused antibiotics to your local pharmacy for safe disposal, helping to reduce antibiotic resistance.

Find out more on NHS Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board Stay Well page 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/gtbpqgxnny
World Health Organization (WHO)

18/11/2025

Flu cases are rising fast, and those at clinical risk are being urged to get vaccinated now.
Beat the wave by getting your flu jab early.
Protect yourself. Protect others.

Find information about local vaccine clinics: https://ow.ly/1T0T50XtjOR

18/11/2025

📣 We’re at Finchampstead Baptist Church Food Share this morning until midday!

Come and chat with us about your experiences of local health and social care services. Your feedback makes a real difference.

We’re also collecting thoughts on the NHS App for our latest project. Let us know what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d love to see improved or added to the app.

Your voice helps shape better services for everyone.
Pop over and say hello if you’re around.

Learn more about our NHS app project work 👉 https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/your-voice-matters-our-nhs-app-survey-is-now-live

Visit our NHS app information and resources page 👉
https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/nhs-app-information-page

17/11/2025

⚠️NHS Phone Scam Alert ⚠️

It's International Fraud Awareness Week and it’s a good time to stay alert to scams which include a rise in fake NHS phone calls.

Fraudsters are impersonating the NHS (phoning as your GP surgery receptionist/care navigator or doctor) and calling people claiming they must update their GP records over the phone or risk being removed from their GP surgery list.

These calls are fake and are designed to panic you into acting quickly so that you share your personal details.

The NHS will never:
❌ Ask for bank details
❌ Call to demand record updates
❌ Threaten to remove you from a GP list

If you get a suspicious call:
✅ Hang up
✅ Contact your GP directly
✅Report it: https://cfa.nhs.uk/report-fraud or 0800 028 4060 (open 24/7)

Learn more below 👇
https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/nhs-scam-alert-protect-yourself-from-fraudulent-calls

Fraudsters are impersonating the NHS and targeting patients with phone calls claiming that they must update their GP records or risk being removed from their practice list. These calls are fake and are designed to steal personal information.How the scam worksPeople receive automated calls warning th...

13/11/2025

Great news for women’s health!

For the first time ever, menopause advice and questions will be included in the free NHS health check. This means millions of women will now get the information and support they need during perimenopause and menopause.

We're excited about this positive change and hope it will be accessible to women from diverse communities and areas where health support may be harder to reach.

Learn more 👇

At the end of October, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced that for the first time, menopause advice and questions will be included in free NHS health checks, helping millions of women.Routine NHS appointments will now help tackle one of the most overlooked women’s health iss...

11/11/2025

📢 Important information for patients of Royal Berks Hospital
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

From 7am on Friday 14 November through to 7am on Wednesday 19 November 2025, resident doctors are taking industrial action at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Read more about what’s happening and how you might be affected here 👇

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has stated:Whilst we are putting in place plans and contingencies to reduce the impact that this will have on the running of the hospital, some appointments may need to be changed.If your appointment is impacted by this, you will be contacted by the Trust to resc...

10/11/2025

It’s been a busy few weeks for us, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to speak with us recently.

To all the borough residents who have shared their thoughts on local health and social care services, especially around our NHS App project, your feedback is invaluable.

Thank you Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Trinity church, Lower Earley, Reading, The Wokingham Volunteer Centre, SEND Voices Wokingham, Over 60s Club at Earley Library Wokingham Borough Libraries, Sunflowers Coffee Morning at The Rainbow Centre, Seniors Coffee Morning at School Green Community Centre, Shinfield, Norreys Church and SHARE Wokingham for welcoming us to your community events and sessions.

The insights gathered will be shared anonymously with key local decision-makers to help improve health services for everyone. Every single comment makes a difference.

Want to know where we’ll be for the rest of November? Click here to find out 👉 https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/out-and-about-with-the-team-in-november