NHS Kent and Medway Five Year Strategy Consultation

Source: Kent & Medway NHS

We are now entering a crucial phase in the development of our Five‑Year Strategy for all NHS organisations in Kent and Medway (2026–2031).

As valued partners, your support and insight are essential in helping us generate strong engagement across your networks.

Your trusted relationships with local communities are vital to making sure this work reflects the real experiences and priorities of the people of Kent and Medway.

The strategy is fully aligned to the 10-year health plan for England. We are engaging on what it should contain now and would value your input and your help in engaging with the public.

Our five-year strategy will:

• Rebalance investment towards prevention/community and non-hospital services
• Manage complex needs closer to home through the neighbourhood health model
• Ensure quality, safety and workforce sustainability
• Ensure financial recovery and productivity.

Underpinning all we do in Kent and Medway will be our four layers of care:

Primary care – foundation of the system, strengthened through collaboration to provide a clear and consistent offer of care focussed on, prevention and continuity.

Neighbourhood care – focus on highest need/target interventions, bringing together primary care, community services, mental health, social care and the VCSE to manage population need and reduce inequalities.

Intermediate care – services best delivered at greater scale in the community; focused on flow, recovery and independence, supporting admission avoidance and timely discharge.

Acute care – operating as a coordinated system, with shared accountability for quality, safety, access, flow and productivity.

Why this strategy matters

Health and care in Kent and Medway are at a critical turning point. People are living longer, but many are spending more years in poor health.

Inequalities remain significant, with life expectancy varying dependent on where you live. Demand for services continues to rise, mental health needs are increasing, and hospitals are under sustained pressure. At the same time, the NHS faces serious financial challenges.

How you can help

You can have your say here: Five-year strategy.

Your involvement in promoting this engagement will help make sure the strategy reflects the real needs and priorities of the people of Kent and Medway.