How we adapted through challenge and change

Last year was one of our toughest yet.

From record-breaking Emergency Department attendances and a surge in respiratory illnesses, to the delay of our new hospital programme - it was a tough year. But through these difficulties our staff adapted and innovated.

From investing in new facilities and expanding services to local hospitals, we continued to transform and deliver outstanding care to our patients.

Watch our latest video.

What we have achieved together

Maximising the care we deliver in the community

Our Liver Health Checks team have carried out 4,119 tests in the local community. Launched in 2023 as part of a push across the Thames Valley to spot and support patients to understand their liver health. Since then the team have carried out 4,119 tests, in locations across our community. These include Reading Festival and Pride, in homeless shelters, in GP surgeries, within the prison estate, and within local businesses, making the shift to support in community.

Digital innovation to improve patient experience

Unveiled new radiology facilities at West Berkshire Community Hospital. These new facilities feature advanced diagnostic technologies including a Mammography Unit, DEXA scanner and two new Ultrasound suites. The addition of these new facilities will enable faster diagnosis for a variety of conditions, including breast cancers and osteoporosis, meaning we are able to see more patients and able to deliver more services locally to West Berkshire.

Promoting health to prevent illness

Our sexual health clinic, the Florey Clinic, has been leading with its Let's get to zero campaign. Reading is a high-prevalence area for late diagnosis of HIV. Taking the health van to more than 20 locations across the patch including to Reading Pride, Newbury town centre, and a number of cultural events the team have had many hundreds of conversations sharing health prevention messages. With materials available in a range of languages, 175 people took the opportunity to be tested at the time, and nearly 3,000 people followed up online to order home testing kits.

Investing in our estate to increase capacity

Officially opened our new Frederick Potts Unit – a £17 million investment into elective recovery. Named in honour of Reading’s only Victoria Cross recipient, the unit is home to clinical teams including the Trust’s Urology Procedures department. Since opening its doors in early July the team has already delivered an amazing 418 clinics for nearly 3,000 patients.