Shaping the Future of Healthcare
in East Berkshire
Board backs changes to services
at Heatherwood Hospital
The Board of NHS Berkshire has approved recommendations relating to changes
to four services used by patients living in east Berkshire and south Buckinghamshire
which are currently provided at
The changes relate to maternity, minor injuries, stroke rehabilitation and
general rehabilitation services.
The Board made informed decisions after thorough debate which went on for
more than an hour longer than scheduled to ensure all issues were properly
explored. They also considered the contents of a Decision Making Business Case
and Independent Consultation Analysis Report.
Dozens of questions were taken and responded to – both written ones
submitted in advance and others asked at the meeting by members of the public
and by the Board’s non-executive directors.
The proposals were measured against key criteria including the impact on
patient choice, access, service quality and support from clinicians.
Sally Kemp, the Chairman of NHS Berkshire, said: “As these proposals affect
healthcare provided to patients across east
The decisions followed extensive public engagement dating back to 2011,
including public consultation from October 2012-January 2013.
We have listened and taken on board all the feedback we received before,
during and after the consultation. That feedback helped to shape the final
recommendations. We want people to continue to work with us as we put these
changes in place.
The implementation plan will be led by local Clinical Commissioning Groups
which take over responsibility for commissioning local health services from 1
April 2013.
Dr Adrian Hayter, the Chairman of the
The Heatherwood
and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is developing plans to
secure the long-term future of