NHS trust makes history as Kent and Medway community services join forces

More than 1,250 colleagues and dozens of community health services are now part of one organisation after Medway Community Healthcare formally transferred into Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.

The move creates a single community health provider of more than 100 services, delivered by 6,500 colleagues serving people across Kent and Medway, and marks the culmination of more than two years of planning, engagement and partnership working.

The milestone brings together expertise, resources and services under one NHS organisation, creating new opportunities to improve care, strengthen services and provide more support closer to home.

It also creates a stronger foundation for neighbourhood health across Kent and Medway. By bringing community services together at scale, the trust will be better placed to work alongside GPs, mental health services, local authorities, voluntary organisations and local communities to provide more joined-up, proactive and preventative care closer to home.

Chief Executive Mairead McCormick said: "This is an important moment for community health services across Kent and Medway. We are delighted to welcome more than 1,250 colleagues into our organisation and to begin this next chapter together.

"For patients and local people, our priority remains unchanged. Services continue to operate as normal and people should continue to access care in exactly the same way.

"We know bringing two organisations together is a significant undertaking and some things will take time to settle. We will continue to listen, learn and work closely with colleagues and partners as we move forward."

The benefits of integration are already starting to emerge. A new frailty hospital at home service has launched in Medway, giving people access to specialist assessment, diagnostics and support in their own homes. Developed with GP partners and Medway NHS Foundation Trust, the service aims to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and help more people receive care where they feel most comfortable.

Plans are also being developed for a similar service in Swale, in partnership with HCRG.

The transfer marks only the second time in history an NHS trust has integrated with a community interest company and the move strengthens a commitment to the people of Medway that will see increased opportunities to attract investment, develop services and tackle health inequalities through closer partnership working. Medway will retain its distinct identity and remain a key part of the organisation's future neighbourhood health model.

The integration comes at a time of increasing pressure on health and care services, with rising demand, an ageing population and growing numbers of people living with complex health needs.

Mairead added: "Bringing services together will create a stronger platform for us to deliver neighbourhood health across Kent and Medway. Community services have a vital role in helping people stay well, supporting independence and providing care closer to home. By working alongside our partners and local communities, we can do more to prevent ill health, reduce inequalities and ensure care is built around people rather than organisational boundaries.

“No single organisation can address the challenges facing health and care alone. Success will continue to depend on strong partnerships across the NHS, local government, the voluntary sector and local communities.

"This is not the end of a process. It is the start of a new opportunity to combine the strengths of both organisations, learn from one another and work together to improve care for local people.

"Most importantly, this gives us an even stronger foundation to build on the dedication, expertise and commitment of colleagues across Kent and Medway who make a difference to people's lives every day."