Healthwatch Wokingham Borough

09/09/2026

What’s stopping people from using the NHS App?

Our first project finding highlighted some of the positive experiences residents have had using the NHS App. This time, we’re looking at those who aren’t using it and why.

1 in 3 people surveyed across Reading and Wokingham Borough combined told us they do not use the NHS App.

Our new infographic brings these findings together and highlights your experiences, your voice and key priorities for making the NHS App and digital healthcare more inclusive. 💙

A huge thank you again to everyone who shared their experiences with us. Your feedback is helping us understand what needs to change.

Read the full findings and see the infographic here or below 👇
👀 There’s more to come from this project over the coming weeks.

Following our first infographic exploring residents’ experiences of the NHS App, we’re sharing the next set of findings from our survey results and conversations with local communities.Our findings show that around 1 in 3 people across the borough and Reading combined do not use the NHS App.Foll...

07/09/2026

Have you or someone you care for stayed in hospital in the last 12 months?

Did you have a difficult experience when you left the hospital, or did it take longer than expected for you to go home?

We want to learn what happened and what could have gone better. Tell us anonymously about your experience by filling out our survey 👉 https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/hwreading/

Read more about the project here 👉https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/have-your-say-what-was-your-experience-of-leaving-hospital

03/09/2026

Between October 2025 and January 2026, we asked residents across the borough and Reading to share their experiences of using the NHS App.

We heard from hundreds of local people about what they find helpful, as well as some of the challenges they face when using the NHS App.

We’re now sharing our first key finding and it’s a positive one. 💙

Our infographic shows what residents told us about their use of the NHS App, alongside real experiences shared with us.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our survey, shared their experiences on social media or spoke with our engagement team at local events. Your voices are helping to shape the conversation about digital healthcare.

👉 Read more about the project and see the full infographic here: https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/the-nhs-app-changed-my-life

👀 Stay tuned as we share more key findings from your feedback over the coming weeks.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our NHS App project; completed our survey, left comments on our social media channels or spoke to our engagement officers at local community events – your voice matters and helps improve services and care.Between October 2025 and January 2026, we heard fr...

01/07/2026

We've been quiet on social media over the past few months, but our small, part-time team has been very busy behind the scenes.

From analysing your feedback and reviewing data from our NHS App project to writing our Annual Report, we've been turning what local people have shared with us into evidence to help improve health and care services across the borough and Berkshire West.

We are delighted to share that our Annual Report 2025-2026 is now live!

It showcases what we've heard, the impact of your feedback, and what we've achieved together over the past year.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences with us. Every piece of feedback helps shape better health and care services.

Take a look at our Annual Report on our website, by clicking the link 👉https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/2025-2026-annual-report-published?utm_campaign=042c7639-3001-4885-909e-0be726e191d1&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail

If you have experiences of local health or social care services you'd like to share (good or bad), we'd love to hear from you. Our contact details are at the top of our page👆

26/03/2026

🐣 Easter Bank Holiday – be prepared!

Order your repeat medications early as pharmacies will be busier and may have different opening hours next weekend.

💊 Some pharmacies will be open over the holidays, but times can change; please check before you visit.

📄 Click below to view the full list of local pharmacies opened in the borough and locally during the upcoming holidays👇
https://f.mtr.cool/pilrvzcezf

💡 Pharmacy First: Get advice and treatment for common conditions like sore throats, earache, UTIs and more at your local pharmacy - no GP needed.

📞 Need advice during the holidays? Contact NHS 111 (24/7)

🚨 Emergency? Call 999

With the Easter Bank Holiday approaching, make sure you’re prepared! It’s important to order any repeat medications in advance as pharmacies are extra busy around Bank Holidays and opening hours may be different.The pharmacies listed below are expected to be open during the Easter holidays. Whil...

25/03/2026

We are delighted to share a series of multilingual videos created by Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality - Acre in Reading to help people access clear and trusted information about important vaccines, locally. The videos cover the MMR vaccine (for adults and children), flu, RSV, and COVID-19, and are available in Arabic, Nepali, and Urdu to support more communities.

For more information and to watch the videos and pass on 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/vbkltmwphe

We are delighted to share a series of multilingual videos created by Alliance and Cohesion for Racial Equality (ACRE) in Reading, to help people access clear and trustworthy information about important vaccines.The videos cover the MMR vaccine (for both adults and children), flu, RSV and COVID-19 an...

24/03/2026

How active are you? What might be stopping you from moving more?
Wokingham Borough council want to hear from you as they need your help to shape a strategy to make physical activity more accessible for everyone across the borough.

Whether you love walking or swimming, enjoy time in the garden or are training for a marathon, the council would like to understand:
• What you do to stay active
• Where you are active
• What matters to you
• Any barriers you face
• What would help you be more active

Fill out the survey online 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/idkkbqlzdc

Need help taking part? Call 0118 974 6000 or visit your local library
Wokingham Borough Libraries

For more information👇
https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/council-needs-your-help-to-improve-access-to-activities

Wokingham Borough Council wants to hear from you as they need your help to shape a strategy to make physical activity more accessible for everyone across the borough.Whether you love walking or swimming, enjoy time in the garden or are training for a marathon, the council would like to understand:.....

23/03/2026

Following our recent report on the experiences of healthcare for South Asian women across the borough, we’ve now received an official response from Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB).

The ICB recognises the importance of the findings, the engagement with communities and highlights key areas for action, including improving access to culturally sensitive services, support for preferred healthcare practitioner gender, and tackling barriers such as translation, digital access, and health literacy.

We welcome this engagement as an important step forward and will be monitoring for action.

Read the report and response (page 29-30) 👇
https://www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/post/report-south-asian-women-s-health

17/03/2026

You may have seen reports of a meningitis outbreak in Kent, where two teenagers have sadly died, and 13 people became ill over just three days. Most affected are sixth-form and university students.

While rare, meningitis can become serious very quickly, especially in shared spaces like schools, colleges and universities.

Health teams advise anyone with symptoms to seek urgent medical help; early treatment can save lives.

☑️Visit our information and advice page to know the signs and what to do 👇

Trusted advice is also available from Meningitis Now Meningitis Research Foundation and the UK Health Security Agency

You may have seen reports of a meningitis outbreak in Kent, where two teenagers have sadly died and 13 people became ill over just three days. Most affected are sixth-form and university students.While outbreaks like this are rare, meningitis can spread quickly and become serious very fast, especial...

16/03/2026

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation Call for Evidence closes tomorrow, 17 March 2026.

The investigation aims to create national recommendations to make maternity and neonatal care safer, fairer, and more consistent across England, and to help families get justice and accountability.

If you’ve experienced maternity or neonatal care or supported someone who has, your experience can help improve services for families across England.

Surveys are available in 7 additional languages, Easy Read, Braille, and you can submit in British Sign Language.

For more information and to submit your evidence 👇

On 26 February 2026, the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation published an interim report, sharing early findings and recommendations while the full investigation continues.The investigation was launched in June 2025 by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to review NHS maternity serv...