New role for chief medical officer as drive towards neighbourhood health gathers pace
Dr Sarah Phillips, Chief Medical Officer at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), has taken on a new role of Chief Medical Officer for Neighbourhoods, as part of the neighbourhood health programme.
This is a one-year secondment for Dr Phillips, who will apply her quality improvement expertise to develop neighbourhood health models in Kent, representing both community and mental health provider services.
The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan sets out a vision to create neighbourhood health centres in every community. As part of this, 42 pilot sites across England were selected to lead the way through the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP).
East Kent has been chosen by NHS England as one of the national neighbourhood health pioneer sites and work is already underway to build on existing work and develop a fully integrated neighbourhood team in Folkestone and Hythe District, co-designing with residents and partners.
Dr Sarah Phillips, Chief Medical Officer for Neighbourhoods.
Dr Phillips said: “Being chosen as a pioneer site for this national programme means we can help shape the future of integrated care in Kent and Medway together, to support people to live longer and healthier lives as close to home as possible.”
“We already have a significant amount of great work to build on, but as a pioneer site we can accelerate our progress to make a real difference to our communities by delivering joined-up, person-centred care that’s proactive, as well as reactive.
“We will share the learning generated through this work to benefit everyone.”
