The NHS flu vaccination is now available for: 

• children aged 2 and 3 years on 31 August 2025, primary school years (Reception to Year 6) and some secondary pupils (Years 7–11).
• all pregnant women. 

From 1 October 2025 more patients will be eligible for a free flu jab including those aged 65 and over, people with a long-term health condition (like asthma and diabetes) and carers.

The vaccine will be provided by local GP practices (who will be inviting eligible patients for a jab), pharmacies, school-based programmes, community clinics, and maternity services. 

Most children who are eligible for a flu vaccine will get it via a nasal spray – see the NHS website for more details

Visit our Stay Well BOB website for more details.  

The vaccine protects against the RSV virus, a common virus that can cause severe illness in babies and older adults, and helps to reduce the risk of serious breathing problems.

Those eligible for the vaccine include:

• people aged 75 to 79 (who will receive invites via their GP) 
• pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect infants— via maternity services or their GP 
• people with conditions putting them more at risk of chest infections.

More details about the RSV virus and how to access the vaccine are available on the Stay Well BOB website here.

This is being held on Tuesday 9 September 2025 (1.30pm to 4pm) and you can join via an online live stream - the link is available on the BOB ICB website. 

Details about the agenda and meeting papers are available to view here and you can submit a question relating to agenda items before the meeting.

Let’s Talk About Vaccines are free training sessions to help build your confidence, skills and knowledge to open up discussions and help people make informed choices about vaccine decisions.   

The online sessions are free to health, social care and voluntary sector staff and students working across BOB. 

Three sessions are still available to book until March 2026. Each session lasts 2½ hours. Find out more and sign up on the BOB ICB website – Let’s Talk About Vaccines training

Congratulations to four local health trusts and partners including BOB ICB which are finalists in several categories of the 2025 Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards. These cover a variety of initiatives aimed at improving patient care: 

• Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Spine Awake Surgery (SAS) Oxford Protocol - more details here.
• Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, BOB ICB, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley's Oxfordshire Breathlessness Diagnostic Pathway pilot  more details here. 
• Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Cognitant Group Ltd's Kidney Essentials - more details here.
• Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust's AI-powered solution 'Quail' - the Trust has also been nominated for 'Trust of the Year'  - more details here.

Full information on HSJ website 

The UK Government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

Your mobile phone or tablet will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent. The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action.

Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts.

You can opt out of the Emergency Alerts, including the national test, but you should keep them switched on for your own safety.

Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the Government and the emergency services are able to send them.

BOB ICB is supporting Know Your Numbers! Week, a national campaign by Blood Pressure UK to raise awareness of high blood pressure – the “silent killer” and leading preventable cause of death in the UK.

Why it matters:

• High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, often with no symptoms.
• Around 5 million UK adults may be living undiagnosed.

What you can do:

• Get checked – at home, your GP, local pharmacy, or free events throughout September.
• Share the message with family and friends.
• Make one small lifestyle change to protect your heart.

Dr Heike Veldtman, GP and BOB ICB lead for cardiovascular health, says: “A simple test can save lives. With early detection, most people can manage high blood pressure through lifestyle changes or, if appropriate, with medication.” More details here.

By taking part in a Digital Café, local residents can find out how to use the NHS App including downloading and registering their details on the device.

This will help residents to only order NHS prescription medications they need and support us to reduce medicines waste.

It’s part of a bigger campaign being run by BOB ICB to make patients more aware of the simple things they can do to reduce medicines waste such as checking what medicines they have at home and the expiry dates - more details on the campaign website here

For more information on joining a Digital Café - which are held in various locations across BOB each week and are free to join - see here

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is trialling new technology that could change how doctors and nurses work by giving them more time to care for patients. 

The Trust is launching its first pilot of ambient Artifical Intelligence (AI) in its rheumatology and community paediatrics departments. 

It relies on CLEARnotes which listens securely to conversations between patients and clinicians during appointments and automatically creates accurate notes.

This means staff don't have to spend time typing or writing up records after the appointment — freeing them up to focus fully on the person in front of them.

More details here.

Residents can take part in an event in Aylesbury for carers, family and friends of housebound patients at Unit 33, Friar’s Square Shopping Centre on 11 September (2pm - 4pm).

Everyone is welcome to join this Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust event, whether you are new to caring or have years of experience; at the event you will:

• meet local community nurses
• talk about the challenges 
• swap helpful tips and advice others might benefit from. 

More details here

Maternity and neonatal services at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust are celebrating after achieving Stage 2 Accreditation from UNICEF UK’s Baby Friendly Initiative.

The teams have successfully put in place a robust training system to ensure all staff have the skills and know how to support infant feeding and relationship building.

More details here. 

This new service supports residents aged 50 and over with a long-term health condition to stay active and healthy. 

The 12-week programme shows them how to do more daily routines at home or take part in walking groups, community gardens or seated exercise sessions.

It also aims to make people stronger and less frail to reduce their risk of falls, and explains how they can manage long-term conditions better and improve their mental wellbeing. 

To check if you meet the guidelines to join the programme which includes living in one of the 14 Opportunity Bucks wards see here - you can make a referral via the Joy Marketplace or email mtb@aitc.org.uk

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has been highly commended in the 'professional development' category of the 2025 Training Evaluation Form (TEF) Awards,

The awards run by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists celebrate excellence in postgraduate training across obstetrics and gynaecology units in the UK.

Out of 167 units assessed nationally the Trust stood out for its commitment to supporting the professional development of its trainees. More details here.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has been awarded the NHS England Work Experience Quality Standard Gold Award for its BrigHT Futures @BHT programme, which inspires local young people to explore careers in healthcare.

The award is the highest possible recognition, celebrating the Trust’s commitment to shaping its future workforce and tackling inequalities by making sure career development opportunities are open to all. More details here.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust's planning application to transform the Warneford Hospital site into a major medical research and innovation campus can be viewed on the Oxford City website.

You can find the application and make any comments by 19 September 2025 at hybrid planning application reference: 25/01859/OUTFUL and Listed Building Consent application reference: 25/01834/LBC.

Through the Trust's innovative collaboration with the University of Oxford and a benefactor, Warneford Park in Oxford will provide a new mental health hospital, scientific research facility and a postgraduate college. For further information, please visit the Warneford Park website.

Image shows how the new site could look - courtesy of Cityscape Digital for Eric Parry Architects.

Fifteen patients underwent successful day case hernia surgery, all within just nine hours, during a single, high-efficiency theatre list at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury on Saturday 12 July.

The ‘Super Surgery Day’ was designed to deliver rapid hernia treatment to a high number of patients, ensuring timely and efficient care.

All patients were able to return home on the same day and gave positive feedback about their experience. With an average operating time of 25 minutes per case, the streamlined list was made possible through meticulous planning and co-ordinated teamwork via the surgical team (pictured) at the hospital. 

More details here.

'Move Together' is an Oxfordshire activity programme for adults with long-term health conditions and supports thousands of residents each year.

A resident who joined the programme had health issues, lacked mobility and was not able to enjoy life. They described their positive experiences about taking part:

 "I’ve lost weight, I sleep better, I have more energy and an improved sense of wellbeing. I swim, go to the gym, hike but more importantly I can play with my grandchildren. I now can get down on the floor with them without even thinking about it! I think Move Together is wonderful, without this I would not have got going at all. I am very grateful for the help.” 

Find out more about Move Together here

Local residents are welcome to join Healthwatch Oxfordshire's webinar on the Government's 10 Year Health Plan for England on Tuesday 16 September (1pm - 2pm). 

The webinar will include speakers from BOB ICB, giving people the opportunity to learn more about the plan and ask questions.

For more details and to access a Zoom joining link visit Healthwatch Oxfordshire’s website.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has launched the clinic which supports patients whose mental health might be impacted by their menstrual cycle or menopause.

The service offers some patients one-off assessments; while referrals are accepted from patients being seen by the Trust’s secondary mental health teams. More details here. 

In July, postgraduate researchers, academics and policymakers in Oxfordshire came together (pictured) to share findings and insights from the 2025 Local Policy Lab Fellowship programme.

The 14 Local Policy Lab fellows have spent the last three months working on projects in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council. Their work helps bring academic insights into local policymaking focused on improving wellbeing and tackling inequalities in the county. More details here.

Fern Meadows is now open for applications, offering 60 high-quality homes – 45 for rent and 15 for shared ownership – designed to help people live independently with care and support available on site.

The scheme is aimed at people aged 55 and over with health or care needs, though others may be considered by exception.

Applications are open now. Find more information by visiting Housing 21’s website.

A public open day will be taking place on Wednesday 17 September between 10.30am and 3pm, at the site.

Lisa Hofen has been appointed to this role at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and will take up her post in October 2025.

Lisa (pictured) is currently director of infrastructure delivery at Coventry University; previously, she spent 20 years working for the University of Oxford in a variety of senior roles including head of strategic facilities management.

More details about the appointment here. 

Banbury Community Support Services (CSS), run by Oxfordshire County Council, reopened its newly transformed community garden in August.

The garden is now fully wheelchair accessible, featuring raised beds and tranquil corners that are enjoyed by all who attend Banbury CSS.

The services support adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs, dementia, autism, and age-related conditions.

More details on the county council website.

Residents are welcome to attend Oxford University Hospitals NHS FoundationTrust's Annual Public Meeting on Thursday 18 September in Tingewick Hall at the John Radcliffe Hospital.  Refreshments are served from 5.30pm and the meeting will start at 6pm.

The meeting will include presentations about a baby being ‘born twice’ and details of the Trust improving cancer care in two emergency departments.

Everyone is welcome to attend – pre-event registration is available via Eventbrite.

Book your place for the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust's Annual Members and Annual General Meeting at The Gateway Centre, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF Thursday 25 September (6pm - 8pm).

The event will outline the Trust’s annual report and accounts with further information on urgent mental health services in Buckinghamshire, hospital admission avoidance and the Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies service.

Doors open at 5pm for a chance to visit information stalls run by teams from across the Trust and partners. To confirm your attendance, complete an online form here: Oxford Health’s AMM & AGM 2025

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for a 'Healthcare People Management Association  Excellence in People Awards 2025.'

The Trust's communications team launched a campaign making it easier for frontline staff to access the discounts and benefits available to them. More details here.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has been chosen as the first of 15 clinical sites to be recruiting people for a national study of dementia.

With around one-third of the UK’s one million people with dementia currently undiagnosed, this research aims to make it easier to get an accurate diagnosis of the condition. More details here.

Staff from the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust along with descendants of Trooper Frederick Potts VC (pictured) offically opened a new clinical building named in his honour in August.

The Frederick Potts Unit is the result of a £17m investment and is named after Reading’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross awarded for his bravery during the 1st World War.

The unit located at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading provides an outpatient service and treatment for urology patients and other health services in a modern, purpose built space.

For more details and to view a short video of the opening see here 

Congratulations to Sarah Haynes for winning ‘Clinical Support Worker of the Year’ at the national Our Health Heroes awards in May.

Sarah (pictured) who works for the Wokingham Medical Centre suppports GPs and nurses with patient care.

Kate Mansi the practice manager at the medical centre said: “We’re delighted Sarah has won this award as she is very dedicated and hard-working and really shows care and compassion to all our patients. Sarah truly loves her job and is a great help to colleagues, looking out for them and providing support when they need it.”

Local residents are welcome to join Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 24 September 2025 (2pm - 3.15pm).

The AGM will be taking place online via Microsoft Teams. Find out more and how to join the meeting.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is beginning the search for its next Chair — someone who will help the Trust to focus on its vision to be a great place to get care, a great place to give care.

To find out more on helping to shape the future of local healthcare in Berkshire visit the Trust website.

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust's AGM gives the local community a chance to  hear about the work of the local NHS, including an in-depth look at the Trust’s performance for the year 2024/25 and its plans for the year ahead.

The AGM will be held at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, in Lecture Theatre 2 located in the Trust Education Centre on Wednesday 17 September (5.30pm start). 

From 4pm there will be stands showcasing some of the Trust's services with free mini health checks available before the AGM gets underway. More details here.