• Present: David Weller (Chairman), Helen Easson (Vice Chairman), Jackie Wood (Minute Secretary), Caroline Dyer (Practice Manager), Dr Rob Tayton, Dr Mottram, Keith Bright, Emma Batten, Hilary Weller, Rosalind Lewis, Max Dowding, Kath Little, Stuart Stephens, Sue Warner
• Apologies: Chris Paice, Elizabeth Hunt, Simon Hollingbery, Jonathan Wilding
• Next Meeting: AGM Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 7pm

Welcome

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.00pm and extended a warm welcome to everyone.

Minutes of the last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 25th November 2025, having been circulated, were amended and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

Matters Arising from the Minutes

None

Membership of the PPG

Simon Shaw has decided to resign from his position at Healthwatch with is final day being 21st January 2026.

Presentation from Stuart Stephens, League of Friends at West Berkshire Community Hospital.

Stuart gave a very informative presentation about The League of Friends. Key points; They operate under a constitution and help to fund equipment that cannot be funded by the NHS. The very first purchase was slippers for patients through to the latest being a Dexa Scanner. All bids for equipment come from staff of the hospital and majority are successful. £2.5 million pounds has been donated and spent over the years. The main aim of the charity is to decrease the number of patients needing to go to Reading for services. He ended the presentation encouraging people to volunteer for this very important charity.

Future Presentations to PPG in 2026

Dates yet to be confirmed

• Maureen Avent (Chair based Fitness Advisor)
• The Work and History of the Community Larder
• CAB, Cyber Crime and Lowland Search and Rescue

Treasures Report – Fund Raising Account

It was reported that the fund-raising account has a balance of £1343.92

Purchase of Equipment for the Practice

Nothing to report.

Practice Report 20th January 2026 – Caroline Dyer

• Happy New Year, hope you all had a lovely Christmas.
• Maureen’s chair-based classes have started well, and she will be joining us for the AGM in April.
• Emily Hyland from MANA met with us today to share some more about the 8-week pilot for supporting people with mild learning disabilities – hoping to get that underway in the spring.
• Covid spring booster campaign will start from April 13th until June 30th – for people 75 years and over, care homes for older adults and the immunosuppressed patients.
• We are running a catch-up programme for the under 25-year-olds who missed their HPV vaccine at school. Invites are going out in a staggered manner, and the appointments are booking up.
• The Berkshire West primary care alliance has commissioned a service to help us manage the housebound patients more effectively, it’s called the BRIGHT (lite) service, It’s a 16-week pilot – hence the lite. Berkshire west Responsive Integrated Gp and Home-visiting Team. It is a team of clinicians GP’s and community matrons who are able to go out to our housebound patents. It is for are deteriorating conditions but not for acute conditions, they can spend longer with the patients and do a fuller assessment on that patients’ needs including their long-term conditions. We have our slots allocated to us on the Wednesday of one week and then the Monday and Thursday if the following and we can pre book into these. The over all aim of this is to prevent admissions of these patients.
• The urgent care appointments that we have been given are working well, we discussed these at the last meeting, they are in place and we are utilising them well, it means we can get an extra 8 patients a day managed with acute conditions.
• Appointed a new member of the admin reception team, she starts on the 2nd Feb, pending references.

Arrangements for the PPG Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 14th April 2026

The speakers have been confirmed and the meeting will follow the usual schedule. Helen, Rosalind and Keith have offered to provide light refreshments.

Christmas Raffle 2025

The draw took place on Tuesday 9th December2025 and all the prizes have been delivered. David thanked Dr Sylvester for drawing the winning tickets and thanked Keith for assisting with the delivery of prizes. One of the winners donated £20 and Jonathon has very kindly donated £37 from the sale of wooden figures that he made. A total of £460 was raised.

External Meetings Reports

• West Berkshire Community Hospital Patient Panel: Nothing to report.
• West Berkshire Community Hospital – Mr Rob Tayton: Rob reported that the MRI project is progressing as is work on the car park. It is hoped that more treatment chairs can be purchased for the Cancer Unit.

Any Other Business

The next PPG meeting is the AGM and is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 14th April 2026 commencing at 7pm. The next ordinary meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 26th May 2026 commencing at 7pm

In thanking everyone for their attendance and contributions made, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 7.50pm

Patient Panel West Berkshire: A forum for communication and co-operation between Patient Participation Groups and other health bodies in West Berkshire 

Welcome, apologies and introductions

• Attendees: Mike Howie, Adrian Barker, Tony Hersh, David Weller, Karen Swaffield, Francis Brown, Keith Endersby, Mike Fereday, Simon Collard, Alan Breadmore, Phil Boulter 
• Apologies: Tim Benson, Peter Davies, Ros Crowder, Jane Minchin, John Bagshaw, Barry Dickens, Gavin Smith

Minutes and Matters Arising 

• The minutes of the meeting held in March were agreed  
• Mike mentioned our draft Strategic Plan and that this plan will be discussed at the July PP meeting.   The draft plan was sent with the agenda for this meeting but Tony Hersh will send it again with the minutes from this meeting 
• PPG chairs should come to the July meeting ready to discuss their groups feedback on the strategic plan, including the possibility of renaming this group and their ideas for how to increase patient input to etheir groups

Presentation

Updates in public health and neighbourhood health.  A brief summary of the talk is below, slides are attached 

• Our speaker was Matt Pearce who is the Director of Public Health and we also had attendance from Helena Fahie, Consultant in Public Health 
• Matt’s group translates directions from The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) nationally to what this means to West Berkshire 
• The shift is towards integrating NHS services,  reducing social inequalities, focusing on prevention, early intervention, to become more proactive and to deliver personalised care closer to patients homes 
• The DHSC is trying to organise services around people and communities and remove organisational boundaries 
• We are required to develop a local Neighbourhood Health Plan and engage our communities in this by the end of this financial year (this plan is a description of how neighbourhood health will improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities locally and how other local initiatives can best contribute) 
• The guidance asks us to work in partnership through Health and Wellbeing Boards.  ICBs are encouraged to agree neighbourhood footprints and develop Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs which organise patients at the neighbourhood level), and Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs coordinate care for individuals) 
• Metrics of success will include GP targets and local outcome targets so we can measure the impact of these initiatives on people’s lives eg picking up undiagnosed hypertension 
• Input from communities via PPGs is seen as critical to developing these objectives 
• Matt sees the way forward as developing local neighbourhood partnerships to understand local needs  
• Adult Social care in West Berkshire is currently split into 3 areas but may be consolidated 
• Neighbourhood Health Centres ; potential sites to provide more joined up care are likely to be developed over the next few years 
• Matt was asked to send his slides to Tony Hersh for inclusion in the minutes 

Updates from PPGs

Thatcham Surgery PPG 

The PPG’s AGM took place on Tuesday 14th April 2026 and despite the poor turnout from patients it was a good meeting.  We are very grateful to the doctor’s and Practice staff who attended the meeting and thank them for their continued support. 

The meeting approved and adopted two documents namely a Policy and Charter, Meeting Etiquette and Ground Rules which had been prepared with significant help from Simon Shaw formally of Healthwatch and became effective from 15th April 2026 and would be used at future PPG Meetings, if required. 

The 2025 PPG accounts were approved which showed a closing balance of £1343.92 made up of Newbury Building Society Interest, donations, sale of Christmas Raffle tickets at the Flu Clinics and the 2025 balance brought forward.  The raffle was successful raising the sum of £450.00 and this is due to the generosity of patients. 

In addition to the yearly Practice Report from Doctor Sylvester the meeting received four very interesting and informative Presentations as briefly explained below: 

• Nigel Rossiter, Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery – Global Healthcare and Surgical Education on Voluntary Work Abroad and Knee Arthritis. 
• Dr Heike Veldtman (TMP) – Community Wellness Outreach Services. 
• William Sabarido, Pharmacist, Thatcham Pharmacy, Burdwood Centre – Services and advice available at the Pharmacy. 
• Maureen Avens – Chair Mobility Exercises 

Our next scheduled meeting is Tuesday 26th May 2026 at the Practice commencing at 7pm. 

David R Weller 

Mortimer Surgery PPG 

The PPG is having a relatively quiet year this year, with no public meeting planned. The group meets with one of the GPs every two months to find out about any changes and developments, and to raise any questions or issues that we have been asked to or have generated ourselves. We were pleased to welcome Dr. Mark Green as a full partner now since April, and new doctors Dr Hannah Potter and Dr Scott-White, so that a full complement is currently in place. We would like to increase the feedback we receive from patients and will be producing posters and flyers to encourage this in the coming weeks. 

The surgery has a CQC inspection and have been asked for feedback by the inspector which we will provide and will be generally positive. 

John Bagshaw  

Falkland Surgery PPG 

The last PPG meeting heard about various staffing changes.  A new GP and two Patient Service Advisors had been recruited.  The Deputy Practice Manager has just retired and the Practice Manager is due to retire later in the year. 

The PPG is planning to have a stall, again, at the Wash Common Community Festival on 26 September 2026.  Although it is held at the Falkland Cricket Club, so in the Practice catchment area, we often have patients from other surgeries coming to the stand, so would be happy include other PPGs (e.g. Strawberry Hill, Eastfield or Kintbury and Woolton Hill) if they wanted to join us.  Or we could distribute materials and collect names of anyone wanting to get involved with other PPGs. 

Adrian Barker

Lambourn Surgery PPG

New salaried GP employed - now at full strength.   PPG members supported the Covid clinics, which were considered successful. 

Two new PPG members recruited, interestingly they were by patient request, not by any recruitment campaign, which have always failed. 

It would be helpful to be provided with copies of external speakers' presentations to PPG, so that we can share them with our members. 

We are supporting an initiative from the surgery to provide a Neuro Diverse and Dementia Friendly Space. 

Work continues as part of a multi discipline group to address the substance dependency issues in the patch 

Alan Breadmor

Updates from non PPG bodies 

Update from the West Berkshire Learning Disability Partnership Board  

• Learning Disability training has been delivered at Eastfield House since the last PP meeting and that a presentation is to be delivered to The Boathouse and Theale Medical Practice shortly.  A programme of training has not yet been agreed/approved although we are meeting on 28 May to look at what is missing from the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training that could be delivered more succinctly. 
• The Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities will be hosting the Health bus in Northbrook Street on Thursday 18 June as part of Learning Disability Week. 
• The Learning Disability Partnership Board, in partnership with West Berkshire Mencap and The YUME project are hosting an event on Friday 19 June at the Methodist Church in Northbrook Street.  All welcome.  Entertainment, information stalls, activities and cake! 10:30am until 1:30pm.  For further information contact: alex.kaardal@theadvocacypeople.org.uk 

Alex Kaardal  

Update from WBCH 

• MRI Suite - Ground work completed and building modules are being put in place this week! This involves closing the A4 entrance for the week but access to the hospital is possible via the Turnpike Road entrance 
• Staff car park extension - no definite date as yet 
• Restoration of beds - decorative work has been completed and hopefully the 15 beds will be installed very soon - but the NHS works in mysterious ways! 

Keith Endersby 

Any other business 

• Simon Collard mentioned an issue for patients unable to request transport because they haven’t got computer technology.   He was interested how other PPGs tackle this problem (Mike mentioned that Bernie Prizeman at the PIP may be able to help) 
• Karen Swaffield suggested two representatives from patient panels provide feedback into the neighbourhood health development plan and proposed that the ICB considers paying for PP members attendance 

Francis Brown mentioned a report he will circulate comparing satisfaction from friends and family data across different GP surgeries.  GP FFT results have been recently published.   These have been further processed to show the percentile ranking.   There are 42 surgeries in Berkshire West.  We have good data for 31 of them.  11 did not submit results or did not send results with an adequate number of responses.   Data to follow  

Dates of future Patient Panel meetings and speaker topics 

• 21st July 4-5.30pm, f2f Shaw House : The Dementia Hub (James Wilcox) and discussion of the draft strategic plan  
• 22nd Sep 4-5.30pm via Zoom or possibly at The Old Library in Newbury : Public outreach and public courses (Ruth Stillman) and a presentation on The Royal Berkshire Portal & single patient record (RBH Digital, Data and Technology Department) 
• 17th Nov 4-5.30pm f2f Shaw House : AGM and The Future of WBCH (trustee of WBCH) 

• This meeting is not a forum for individual complaints and single issues, and the PPG should not be seen as a complaint platform
• As per confidentiality rules, no personal issues should be discussed
• All views are valid; everyone’s views must be listened to and respected
• No discrimination will be tolerated by the PPG ( see Inclusivity Policy)
• The meeting will be an open, safe and honest environment.
• All members will be treated with respect and have a chance to air their views
• Members will respect each other, the practice, their staff members and confidentiality at all times
• The group will commit to delivering results for the PPG
• Mobile phones will be switched off or put on silent to not disturb the meeting.
• The meeting will start and finish on time
• All members will stick to the agenda to be discussed.
• Chairperson post and other roles for the group will be elected annually at the AGM
• This Policy to be reviewed every two years (March 2028 by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Practice Manager with any amendments being presented to the AGM for consideration and approval.

The PPG will comply with the 7 Nolan Principles

Although voluntary, membership to the PPG is a responsible public position. Members will represent the voice of patients registered at practice. The PPG is therefore governed by the 7 Nolan principles of public life, as identified below:

• Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends
• Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
• Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
• Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
• Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
• Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
• Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

David R Weller – March 2026
Approved and Adopted at the PPG AGM on Tuesday 14th April 2026
To be Reviewed – March 2028

Purpose

Patient Participation Group (PPG) exists to provide a voice for patients and to work in partnership with the Practice to improve services.

This charter sets out our commitment to inclusivity and respect within the Patient Participation Group (PPG). We aim to create an environment where all patients, carers, and members feel welcomed, valued, and able to contribute equally.

Commitment to Inclusivity

All members are expected to use inclusive and respectful language that does not exclude or discriminate against others based on:

• Ethnicity or cultural background
• Sexual orientation
• Gender or gender identity
• Age
• Disability
• Religion or belief
• Colour of skin
• Socio-economic background

The group will actively work to encourage participation from all sections of the community, ensuring voices from underrepresented groups are included.

Shared Responsibility

Every member of the PPG has a personal responsibility to:

• Be aware of the language they use.
• Ensure that discussions remain respectful, inclusive, and constructive.
• Respectfully challenge language or behaviour that may be discriminatory, offensive, or exclusionary.
• Support fellow members in fostering an open and welcoming atmosphere.

It is everyone’s duty to help maintain this inclusive standard. If something is said or done that goes against this principle, members are encouraged to respectfully question and address it.

Accountability and Resolution

If a disagreement or issue arises that cannot be resolved informally within the group:

• The matter should first be raised with the PPG Chairman.
• The Chair will facilitate a fair discussion, ensuring that all viewpoints are heard and considered.
• If the issue cannot be resolved at this level, it will be referred to the Practice Manager for final resolution.

The overall responsibility for ensuring this charter is upheld lies with the PPG Chairman, supported by the Practice Manager.

Review

This policy will be every two years (March 2028) by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Practice Manager to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and inclusive of the diverse community it serves, with any amendments being presented to the AGM for consideration and approval.

David R Weller – March 2026
Approved and Adopted at the PPG AGM on Tuesday 14th April 2026
To be Reviewed – March 2028