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💜 Retirement Announcement 💜
It is with sadness that we announce that Dr Rock will be retiring from Theale Medical Centre at the end of March, after 29 years of dedicated service.
Dr Rock has made the decision to retire in order to spend more time with her family and friends. During her time at the practice, she has cared for generations of patients and played a vital role in supporting our community.
Dr Rock would like to share the following message:
“I feel extremely privileged to have worked with such an amazing team at TMC. Every person in the practice plays a vital supportive role in providing medical care to our community. It has been an honour to work alongside such dedicated colleagues. I would also like to thank the Patient Participation Group for their continued support of Theale, Calcot and the surrounding villages.”
Dr Rock’s patients will continue to be cared for by our existing and expanding clinical team.
She will be greatly missed by both patients and staff, and we would like to thank her for her commitment, compassion and dedication over nearly three decades.
We wish Dr Rock a long, happy and well deserved retirement 💐💐

Diet and Exercise Advice and Referral Options

NHS Digital Weight Management Programme

A free 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme that supports adults living with obesity who also have diabetes, hypertension, or both, to manage their weight and improve their health. Accessible via smartphone, tablet, or computer.

🔗 NHS Digital Weight Management Programme

Inclusion criteria:

  • Aged 18 or over
  • BMI above 30 (threshold lowered to 27.5 for people from Black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds)

Exclusion criteria:

  • Moderate or severe frailty
  • Pregnancy
  • Active eating disorder
  • Bariatric surgery within the last 2 years
  • Anyone for whom the programme may pose more harm than benefit

Access:
Referral required from a GP or local pharmacist.

Lose Weight – Better Health (NHS)

Free NHS guidance and tools to help you lose weight safely and effectively.

🔗 Lose Weight – Better Health

Includes:

  • Free 12-week NHS Weight Loss Plan app
  • Goal setting and progress tracking
  • BMI calculator and meal planning
  • Healthy food swaps and nutrition tips

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker App

Track your daily walking and see how many minutes of brisk walking you achieve each day.
Set goals, review progress, and stay active.

🔗 Active 10 Walking Tracker App

NHS Couch to 5K

A structured running plan for absolute beginners, designed to get you running 5K in just 9 weeks.
Includes 3 runs per week with rest days in between, and step-by-step weekly schedules.

🔗 Couch to 5K – NHS

NHS Food Scanner App

This app helps you make healthier food and drink choices by scanning barcodes to show how much sugar, saturated fat, and salt products contain.
It also suggests healthier swaps to help you cut down on less healthy foods.

🔗 NHS Food Scanner App

Slimming World and Weight Watchers

Face-to-face or online group weight-loss programmes are available nationally.
Find your nearest group or online option via:

Strategies for Lifestyle Change

  • Eat a diet rich in colourful vegetables, fruit, beans, pulses, whole grains, and fish
  • Aim for around 1900 calories/day during the weight-loss phase
  • Choose high-fibre or wholegrain foods
  • Limit takeaways and processed foods
  • Avoid sugary drinks; choose water or low-sugar alternatives
  • Avoid high-calorie snacks (biscuits, chocolate, cakes)
  • Include 45–60 minutes of brisk walking or running daily
  • Use stairs instead of lifts
  • Consider activities such as cycling, swimming, gardening, or supervised exercise programmes
  • Reduce sedentary time (less sitting, screen time, or gaming)

🏃‍♀️ Physical Exercise GP Referral Options (as of July 2024)

Healthwise (GLL Leisure Group)

A GP-referral exercise programme supporting patients to become more active.
Referral forms available on Ardens – search Healthwise.

📧 Email: Healthwise.Reading@GLL.org

Everyone Active – Activity for Health (West Berkshire)

GP-referral exercise programme with a range of affordable options depending on financial circumstances.
Referral forms available on Ardens – search Everyone Active.

📧 Email: Activityforhealth.westberks@nhs.net
💻 West Berkshire Exercise Referral (Activity for Health)

Additional Local Exercise Resources

Page published: 14 October 2025
Last updated: 14 October 2025