PPG Minutes: Monday 19th January 2026

Held at 6.30pm at Lambourn Surgery

Present

• Alan Breadmore (Chairman)
• Peter Cox (Secretary)                            
• Liz Cox
• Claire Hill  
• Karen Pryer
• Julia Bennet (Racing)   
• Dr Zoe Wanless (Surgery)
• Louise Murray-Clarke (Surgery)       

Apologies

• Mark Haddock, Geoff Fowler, Bridget Jones, Graham Jones, Mary Wilson, Simon Shaw and Charlotte Clarke.
• It was noted that Simon had left Healthwatch. His contributions had been welcomed. However, it was agreed that no replacement representation from Healthwatch would be sought.

Chairman's Annual Report 2026

Thanks as always for your support and to the partners for their trust in the PPG and the continuing good relationship that we have. A special thank you to Peter who does a great job as secretary and 
keeps me on my toes. 

Membership 

The PPG currently has 13 active members, one up on last year and I’m particularly pleased that we once again have some membership who passionately care about representing the racing community. We currently have an expression of interest from an East Garston Patient, with a long term condition who may be able to bring a new perspective to the group. 

Particular thanks to the ex officio members who provide a conduit into key parts of our community and to Liz and Geoff, who provide a patient perspective to the Amenities Fund. Similarly, again to Liz 
who is now leading the Volunteer Driver Group. 

The VPG has 12 members, down one. 

The need for the volunteer bank has diminished since Covid but we still have 6 or 7 who are active and available. 

There is some overlap in these numbers. 

Activity 

Our quarterly meetings, to discuss the matters of the day have taken place. The PPG has supported two series of Vaccination Clinics in the Spring and Autumn along with members of our volunteer 
group. Thank you to Karen for taking over the coordination of this. 

We have published three newsletters this year, which are now published on a need’s basis. Please say when you feel that there is something that may need including. 

We have discussed the implications of the NHS 10 year plan, including Neighbourhood Health and the merging of ICBs but with insufficient detail to assess any real patient impact. 

Chairman’s activity 

I have 

• Generally liaised with the surgery 
• Edited the newsletters 
• Chaired these meetings  
• Attended six Patient Panel and other Berkshire West meetings on behalf of the PPG. It is useful to get updates from authoritative sources but sadly to me it still seems mainly rather aspirational rather than practical. Topics covered/Speakers have included 
  • Neighbourhood Health - Dr Ellora Evans  
  • Labour Party position – Olivia Bailey MP for West Reading, Lee Dillon, Lib Dem has not yet shown up. 
  • NHS 10 year plan  
  • Working closer with Reading Patient Voice, similar to Patient Panel that I judge to be more campaigning rather than collaborative. 
  • Strategic Direction of Royal Berks NHS Trust
  • Merger of ICBs to create larger Thames Valley ICB 
  • Implications of Unitary Authority remapping on Primary Healthcare and Wellbeing.  

Summary 

Like last year the NHS continues to face enormous challenges and whatever your view on the politics or infrastructure issues I still see the PPG as an opportunity to improve at a local level. 

Hopefully there will be some meat on the bones of the NHS 10 year plan soon, especially regarding Neighbourhood Health. 

I encourage you to continue to support our surgery in every way possible, similarly I urge the surgery to ask for any help that we may be able to provide, so that together we can broaden our activities to support our community. Particularly if you have any new ideas please bring them to this table. 

Also please continue to confidentially share your experiences and those reported to you with the PPG and partners.

AGM

• Elections of Officers to serve a 2-year period
  • Chairperson – Peter took the chair and asked for nominations. Julia proposed and Claire seconded that Alan be elected. This was unanimously agreed.
  • Alan then retook the chair.
  • Vice Chairperson – There were no nominations for the post Charlotte will be asked if she would be able to take the post at the next meeting.
  • Secretary – Peter was proposed by Alan and seconded by Karen. This was unanimously agreed
• Review the constitution
  • Alan had forwarded a proposed Inclusivity Policy and Charter suggested for PPGs to adopt. It was observed that the essence of the policy was already in the Lambourn Surgery PPG constitution. Louise considers that the individual descriptions of those concerned groups should be included which were those based on; Ethnically or cultural background, Sexual orientation, Gender or gender identity, Age, Disability, Religion or belief, Colour of skin and Socio-economic background.
  • Minor corrections were also listed as: In last para of section 3 Objectives – replace CCG with ICB In 4th para of Membership remove double listing of “be”. These amendments will be considered at the next meeting.
• Review the membership in order to maintain an active and representative group. Three potential members had been sent details of which Mark Haddock had accepted.
• Appoint/reappoint Ex Officio members.
  • Representative of Lambourn Parish Council – Bridget
  • Representative of the Benefice of Lambourn Valley - Juli
  • Representative of Lambourn Pharmacy - Graham
  • Representatives for the Racing Industry – Charlotte / Julia
  • Other than Julia none of the above were at the meeting and their continuation as representatives will be confirmed at the next meeting.
• Note the Trustees of the Lambourn Surgery Amenities Fund (LSAF). It was noted that Liz and Geoff are continuing as Trustees of the Fund.