Together, we can transform health and care
Please be aware that this consultation has now closed.
Imagine a world where health and care work seamlessly together, where people can lead longer, healthier and happier lives, where health and wellbeing services have been transformed and there is equality in accessing what you need. It’s a future Kent and Medway Integrated Care Partnership would like to build, but it can only do it with your help.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
