Working together to engage communities in NHS Kent and Medway commissioning intentions

Source: NHS Kent and Medway

NHS Kent and Medway is developing its commissioning intentions for 2027/28. These set out how local NHS services could change over the next few years to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequalities and make the best use of limited resources. The proposals are informed by extensive involvement with residents, staff, voluntary organisations and partners through our ‘what matters most’ programme, which reached almost 650,000 people and heard directly from more than 1,600 residents, staff and stakeholders.

As trusted partners, you have an important role in helping us understand whether these proposals reflect what matters most to local people and focus on the right priorities for the future. More information is available on our website, along with a survey that we’d be grateful if you could share through your networks to help gather feedback from your local communities. We will be engaging until 9am on Tuesday, 1 September.

Why change is needed

Across Kent and Medway:

• more people are living longer and living with multiple long-term health conditions
• demand for health and care services continues to grow
• health inequalities remain significant, with some communities experiencing poorer health outcomes and shorter life expectancy
• more people need support with their mental health and wellbeing
• the NHS faces significant financial and workforce pressures and must make the best use of the resources available.

To respond to these challenges, the NHS is proposing a greater focus on:

• prevention and helping people stay well for longer
• providing more care closer to home and in neighbourhoods
• improving access to services and reducing waiting times
• better joined-up care between different services and organisations
• reducing unwarranted variation in care and tackling health inequalities.

What we are asking communities

We would like to hear what local people think about the proposed commissioning intentions and whether they reflect the priorities that matter most to them.

We want to understand:

• Are we focusing on the right priorities to improve health and care?
• Do the proposals reflect what people have previously told us matters most?
• Are there communities or groups whose needs are not being considered sufficiently?
• Are we making the right shift towards prevention, neighbourhood health and care closer to home?
• What opportunities or concerns do people see in these plans?

Why your support matters

Your links with community groups, grassroots organisations and people who may not always engage with statutory services make your role especially important.

The next phase of engagement is focused on hearing from a diverse range of communities, particularly people who experience health inequalities or face barriers to accessing care. We want to ensure that the final commissioning intentions are strengthened by the experiences, insights and priorities of local people.