Other Information

Out Of Hours Service

If you need help out of hours you should telephone 0118 978 7811. The out of hours service is provided by Westcall, which provides telephone advice and also operates a Primary Care Centre located in the maternity unit of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, which you will be encouraged to attend if you need to see the doctor. A doctor will visit your home if needed. Please note that for your own security your telephone call to Westcall will be recorded.

Disability

Each surgery has access and toilet facilities for disabled people. Staff are pleased to assist with practical problems of disability or handicap - please ask them. We have a portable hearing loop at each reception - please ask if you would like to use it. We are able to make appointments for patients with hearing difficulties through the BT Touch-Type system. We also supply batteries for NHS hearing aids - just bring in your used batteries and record book.

HOW TO BE MORE HEALTHY

What we do and how we choose to live and think probably has more influence on our overall health than the health services provided for us. Here are some pointers.

Exercise

People are increasingly recognising the importance of regular exercise. Each of us needs to decide what exercise best suits. For some it will be going to the gym, or taking part in a sport, walking or cycling. Others may walk or cycle or park their car some distance away and walk the rest of the way.

What We Eat

The general rule is to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrain starch and fibre. We should avoid too much fat, particularly from animals, and too many sweet things. In general fresh food is much better than highly processed food. Remember to drink plenty of water. It is beneficial to take a multivitamin tablet daily.

What We Think

We are always holding a conversation with ourselves inside our heads. What we think affects who we are and the choices that we make. It is important to guard our thoughts and guide them towards what is both good and true about others and ourselves.

Accepting Ourselves

Most of us have suffered things in the past which have caused us grief or hurt or which have made us angry.
An important key to healthy living is to be able to resolve the pain of the past by accepting ourselves for who we are and by forgiving others.

Maintaining Healthy Relationships

We all live with relationships, whether with partner, family, friends, neighbours or work colleagues. These give us joy, but can also cause us pain. The general rules for making these healthy are to learn to listen and to learn to communicate with openness and honesty, all the time seeking what is right and just. It is also important to get involved in caring for others.

The chaplaincy runs regular relationship courses - please contact the chaplain for details of forthcoming courses.

Recognising Our Spirituality

Saint Augustine once said: “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God.” We have found that peace and wholeness come when our relationship with God our Creator is restored through Jesus.

If you would like to explore this further, we have a chaplain who would be very happy to talk with you.