Service overview
Our service is part of the Cardiac and Respiratory Specialist Services (CARSS), which is available in Berkshire West.
Our Heart Function Service is designed to support individuals living with heart failure. We can help you manage your condition and improve your quality of life through personalised care and expert guidance.
Accessing our service
Your referral can be made by your GP or a healthcare professional from the CARSS team.
To be eligible, you’ll need to be 18 or over and registered with a GP in Berkshire West. You must also have a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure, based on an echocardiogram.
Please note: our centres operate by appointment only, so we kindly ask that you don’t visit without one.
Preparing for your assessment
Once you’ve been referred to us, we’ll invite you to one of our community clinics or visit you at home if this is more appropriate.
Your first appointment will last around one hour.
We’ll talk with you about your medical history and complete a basic assessment, measuring your blood pressure, pulse and weight.
We’ll help you learn the signs and symptoms of heart failure and how you can manage them safely and effectively, adjusting your medication if needed.
We’ll also help you understand how exercise and diet can play a crucial role in improving your health.
Managing your health
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
All visits to our centres are by appointment only. Please do not visit our centres unless you have an appointment.
If you’re unsure who to contact, please speak to your GP.
Our team are primarily based in Reading.
Coley Clinic
CARSS Service
Contact number: 0118 904 6555 We're available from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post Address: RG1 6DL
Location detailsHeart function clinics
We offer our clinic appointments in Thatcham, Reading, and Wokingham.
Coley Clinic
CARSS Service
Contact number: 0118 904 6555 We're available from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post Address: RG1 6DL
Location detailsWest Berkshire Community Hospital
CARSS Service
Contact number: 0118 904 6555 We're available from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post Address: RG18 3AS
Location detailsWokingham Hospital
CARSS Service
Contact number: 0118 904 6555 We're available from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post Address: RG41 2RE
Location detailsFrequently asked questions
Can I ask for a home visit if I can’t travel to the clinic?
Yes, please let us know your care preference and we’ll try our best.
Can I get support if I am already referred into a CARSS service?
Yes. Please speak to the healthcare professional from the CARSS service you’re being cared by.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- telephone interpreting
- video remote interpreting (VRI)
- face‑to‑face interpreting
- written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- large print
- braille
- audio
- easy Read
- text message
- face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
Treating our team with respect.
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
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