Dental Services

A Task & Finish Group is working on a project on access to NHS dentists. This was identified as an issue as a result of recurrent anecdotal evidence and supported in feedback from the pilot survey in December 2009. As part of a national programme NHS Berkshire West are increasing the capacity of NHS dental services.

Provision of Toenail Cutting for the Elderly in Reading

Age Concern Reading referred the above issue to the Reading LINk. Their research had shown that over the last 10 years NHS Chiropody Services have been increasingly rationed and this is evident in Reading. One in three people over 65 cannot cut their own nails. Increasingly, access to foot care services is dependent on ability to pay rather than need. This can result in poor mobility, loss of independence, social isolation and susceptibility to falls.

Reading LINk took this issue for investigation and members of the Interim Board joined a Task and Finish Group, along with Janet Brown, of Age Concern Reading. To date the NHS Berkshire West Primary Care Trust has stated that they will be reassessing this issue as part of the review of the service specification and pathway planned in 2009/10.

Janet Brown feels that responses received to date from the PCT through Reading LINk have helped to provide more information than previously gained and the LINk is looking forward to making further progress.

Diabetes Care In Reading

Reading & District Voluntary Diabetes Group, which has over 1,000 members identified, through its Chairman, David Turner, concerns over aspects of their diabetes care, where they felt services could be improved. This included insulin pump therapy, retinal eye screening, plus information and support for newly diagnosed diabetic patients.

Reading LINk agreed to take this as a pilot project and assigned members of the Interim Board to a Task and Finish Group, which included David Turner. The Group identified a number of key questions around the issues, these were submitted to the NHS Berkshire West Primary Care Trust, who provided a timely response.

Reading LINk are now in the process of reviewing the information provided, to identify any recommendations for service improvements or considerations going forward.