Reports and Recommendations
Final Report on Access to NHS Dentistry
In response to concerns repeatedly raised by local people, in 2009 Reading LINk agreed to look into the issue of access to NHS dental services and work was already in progress, when this issue was again identified as a priority for Reading LINk through the community survey carried out in 2010. The LINk found out that NHS Berkshire West had a programme of action for dental services due to the Department of Health’s Dental Access Programme. LINks continued to work with NHS Berkshire West through their Dental Access Implementation Group. NHS Berkshire West are working to help people access dental services locally, by providing more information and better advertising in public places as well as outside NHS dental practices. They tell us that since March 2009 22,000 new patients have accessed NHS dental care in the area and work continues. Two new NHS dental practices have also opened in Shinfield and Earley. The LINk recognise this is an important issue to local people and so will continue to monitor progress that NHS Berkshire West are making, by increasing the numbers of people who are able to get NHS Dental care. LINk welcome your continued feedback. To read the full report click here and to read the NHS Berkshire West response click here.
Final Report on aspects of quality of Domiciliary Care Services provided through Reading Borough Council
This issue was initially raised by Reading Citizens' Advise Bureau on 11 May 2009, following a number of complaints by employees working in domiciliary care in Reading that a lack of allowance for travel time between clients caused them problems as employees, which in turn led to an unsatisfactory service for clients. Click here for the full report.
Final Report on review of the appointment system at the Eye Clinic at the Royal Berkshire Hospital Trust
The Reading Association for the Blind raised the issue and Reading LINk appointed a Task and Finish Group to review the experience of many local residents who expressed their concern at the quality of the service received from the eye clinic. The concerns expressed were sent to the RBHT for comment. Reading LINk welcomes the actions taken by the trust, and fully supports the implementation of the recommendations to improve the services to be provided to patients in Opthamology. Click here to read the full report.
Diabetes Care in Reading : Reading LINk Final Report & recommendations
This issue was brought to Reading LINk by Reading District & Voluntary Diabetes Group. Approximately 40 people living with diabetes met and identified concerns over aspects of diabetes care where they felt that services could be improved:
. Insulin Pump Therapy
. Retinal Eye Screening
. Education and information for newly diagnosed diabetics
. Appointments and specialists
Recommendations made by Reading LINk in this report have been well received and the response from Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the NHS Berkshire West has been very positive. Assurances have been given that the report would influence the review and update of the diabetes service, and assist in making progress in commissioning appropriate services for diabetes services. Click here to see the report.
Toe Nail Cutting for the Elderly
Following concerns raised with the Reading LINk by Age Concern Reading, the LINk reviewed access to Toe Nail Cutting for the Elderly in Reading. For a full report, including recommendations made to NHS Berkshire West who commission the services, click here.
Standard of Care offered to those on the Autistic Spectrum in A & E.
The Berkshire Autistic Society brought to the Reading LINk an issue regarding the standard of care offered to those on the autistic spectrum in A & E. To access the report showing the progress facilitated by the Reading LINk which enabled collaborative working between the Berkshire Autistic Society and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust towards improving the service, click here.
Community Engagement Survey Analysis Reading LINk Summary Report Sept. 2010
This survey was designed to give communities a stronger voice in determining how local health and social care services are delivered, and it has proved to be a valuable tool for exploring the issues that matter to people in Reading. Our research suggests that Mental Health Services, Access to NHS Dental Services, and 'Being seen on time' for hospiatl outpatients and GPs are priority issues that cut across different communities and affect individuals of all ages. To read the full report, please click here. To see response to the survey findings from NHS Berkshire West, please click here: N Davies & P Slinger
Interested to Involved Event Report
The Reading LINk hosted an event on 14th July 2010 primarily for existing members of its Reference Group, with the aim to supporting people who had shown interest in the LINk to move to becoming more actively involved in activities. The event was attended by 33 members of the Reference Group. Reading LINk Board and Staff would like to extend their thanks for attending and taking an active part in the event. Click here to see the report.
Final Report on Review of Access to Consultant for Multiple Sclerosis at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
An individual representing the views of several people with multiplesclerosis contacted the Reading LINk to express concern that thesystem of accessing a Consultant for Multiple Sclerosis once the initial diagnosishad been made lacked clarity and resulted in some confusion for newly diagnosed patients. The referrer asked the Reading LINk to raise this with the RoyalBerkshire Hospital Foundation Trust (RBHFT) and make recommendations on how this may be improved. click here to see the report
Reading LINk Report Recreational Services
A Group of Service Users and their carers in Reading approached Reading LINk to express their concern that the only resource appropriate for their needs in Reading was the PHAB Club. The following are the key findings, recommendations and methods used when reviewing this issue: click here