The partnership is a group made up of the NHS, councils and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.
It is the driving force behind health and care changes in Kent and Medway. Late last year, it produced an interim strategy on how best to achieve this.
Now, it needs to hear the views and ideas of people across Kent and Medway on the issues being prioritised. The partnership would like to hear your thoughts on:
- giving children the best start
- helping the most vulnerable and disadvantaged to improve their physical and mental health
- helping people manage their own health and wellbeing, especially as they get older
- supporting people with multiple health conditions close to home
- making sure most hospital services are available from your local hospital (where most appropriate)
- making Kent a great place to live, work and learn.
“However you choose to give us feedback, we are listening and determined that you are at the heart of the strategy when it is finalised later this year...”
Roger Gough, Chair of the integrated care partnership and Leader of Kent County Council, said: “We are committed to a future in which our essential health and care and public health services come together with the NHS – and the wider factors that impact health, such as housing and transport, are central to decision-making to improve residents’ lives.
“We have a draft strategy in place to shape how this can happen. Now, you have the opportunity to transform it into a genuine shared vision.
“However you choose to give us feedback, we are listening and determined that you are at the heart of the strategy when it is finalised later this year, so it helps deliver meaningful change for all our communities.”
Cedi Frederick, Co Vice-chair of the integrated care partnership and Chair of NHS Kent and Medway, said: “We have a renewed sense of purpose. The work we have already done between all partners to develop and draft the interim strategy means we begin this journey in a really good place.
“However, this next phase is critical. We need to hear from the people who use our services, who know best what they will need from them, now and in the future. We need to speak to those people who rarely talk to us and hear their ideas and views so we can build a health and care system that delivers well for our communities. I really believe that together we can start a real movement for change.”
Cllr Vince Maple, Co Vice-chair of the integrated care partnership and Leader of Medway Council, said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to make sure Medway’s residents receive the very best healthcare and live long and healthy lives. We will focus on addressing the underlying issues that create health inequalities and we will continue to work even closer with our partners to address this.
“We will make sure our residents receive the right support when they need it the most and work in full partnership with them on these crucial matters. I would encourage residents to have their say to help shape the future of health and care in Kent and Medway.”
Events will take place this summer, where you can hear more about the themes and give your direct feedback before the strategy is finalised. Confirmed events so far are:
- Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham 27 June
- Great Danes hotel, Maidstone 16 July
- Online listening events, 28 June and 7 July.
Feedback can also be given:
- online: at www.haveyoursayinkentandmedway.co.uk/
- in person: Pop along to one of the events listed at www.kmhealthandcare.uk and talk to us.
- by post: Pick up a postcard at one of the events, take it away and send back to us – using the freepost address
- by email kmicb.engage@nhs.net.
Read more about the interim strategy at www.kmhealthandcare.uk
Information events
Medway and Swale Integrated Care Listening Event
Tuesday, 27 June, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Ave, Gillingham ME7 4DD
We will talk to you about:
- how Medway and Swale Health and Care Partnership can improve health inequalities across our communities
- how, by working together, we can tackle the causes of ill-health
- making sure that when people need hospital services, most are available from people’s nearest hospitals while centres of excellence provide specialist care
- how we can make Kent and Medway a great place for working in health and care.
Register your place here
Kent and Medway Online Primary Care Listening Event
Wednesday, 28 June 6 to 8pm
Online meeting via Zoom
We will talk to you about:
- how we can improve GP services – plans in Kent and Medway and your ideas
- new ways of using primary care services in the future, such as expanding community pharmacy, making use of different healthcare professionals and different ways of getting through to make appointments
Register your place here
West Kent Integrated Care Listening Event
Thursday, 6 July, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Great Danes Hotel, Ashford Road, Maidstone ME17 1RE
We will talk to you about:
- West Kent Health and Care Partnership’s plans for working together to improve care across West Kent
- how we can work together to tackle the causes of ill-health
- helping people manage their own health
- how we can make Kent and Medway a great place for working in health and care.
Register your place here
Kent and Medway Online Primary Care Listening Event 2
Friday, 7 July 2 to 4pm
Online meeting via Zoom
We will talk about:
- how we can improve GP services – the plans in Kent and Medway and your ideas
- new ways of using primary care services in the future, such as expanding community pharmacy, getting appointments with a range of healthcare professionals, different ways of getting through to make appointments.
Register your place here
