Information for patients about the integration of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and Medway Community Healthcare.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) are coming together to create a stronger, more joined-up community health service for local people.
As part of this integration, from 1 October 2026, KCHFT will take on responsibility for providing the majority of services currently delivered by MCH. Some services are not included in the transfer and will continue to be provided by other providers, see the list of services provided by others.
For patients, the most important thing to know is that there are no immediate changes to the care you receive. You should continue to access services in the same way, attend appointments as planned and use your existing contact details.
While responsibility for providing services will move to KCHFT, many of the teams and colleagues who currently deliver care will continue to do so. Our shared focus is on maintaining high quality care for patients while bringing together the expertise, experience and strengths of both organisations.
What this means for patients
There are no immediate changes to the care you receive.
You should continue to:
- access services in the usual way
- attend appointments as planned
- contact your healthcare team using the same details
- receive care from the same teams and professionals.
If any changes are proposed in the future, we will communicate these clearly and involve patients, carers and local communities.
What you may notice during the transition
As our organisations work more closely together, you may notice some changes to the information, letters and communications you receive.
During this transition:
- you may receive letters, appointment information and other communications carrying either the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) or Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) name and branding
- patient leaflets, forms and information may be updated over time and may show either organisation's branding
- signage, posters and information displayed in some locations may be updated gradually
- some referral forms and service information may continue to use MCH branding while they are being reviewed and replaced
- contact details and referral routes will remain clearly signposted and patients should continue to use the information provided by their service.
If you receive information from KCHFT about a service you currently access through MCH, there is no need to be concerned. Both organisations are working together as part of our integration programme and the information is genuine and relevant to your care.
Forms
Looking for a Medway referral form?
- Activating your e-referral - to be confirmed(opens in new tab)
- Adult speech and language referral form
- Anti coagulation/Warfarin Clinic referral form
- Asthma referral form
- Bladder and Bowel referral form
- Booking enquiries, cancel or change appointment
-
Adult Long Term Conditions and Adult Nursing Services including the Blood Test Service (Children's and Adults) - medch.cccadults@nhs.net
-
Adult Therapies Services - medch.ccc-planned@nhs.net
- Children's Services - medch.childrenscommunity@nhs.net
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- Child Health Service referral form
- Children moving into the Medway area – handover form (Health Visiting)
- Children's Complex Needs referral form
- Children’s Speech and Language Therapy:
- Community Dental referral form
- Community Dental Service - contact us
- Community Nursing SBAR referral form (Medway)(opens in new tab)
- Community practitioners referral form
- Community Rehabilitation referral form
- Consent to contact form - ASPIRE
- Consent to contact form - DWELL
- Dementia crisis support service
- Diabetes referral form
- Emergency dental - contact us
- Fatigue and breathlessness group referral
- Hand therapy referral form
- ILR feedback form
- Indigo pathway referral form
- Integrated Locality Team referral form
- Learning Disability Nursing referral form – professionals
- Living well circuit exercise group referral
- Medication clinic referral form - email medch.medicationclinic@nhs.net
- Nutrition and dietetics referral form
- ourZone - join us
- Physio self referral form - download and complete the MSK physio Medway self-referral form and email to medch.ccc-planned@nhs.net (we are working to have an online form as soon as possible)(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
- Physiotherapy (musculoskeletal)
- Pressure relieving equipment
- Request under access to health records act 1990
- Respiratory referral form
- School Health referral form - professionals
- School health screening - opt out form
- School health screening - opt out form for hearing and/or vision
- School Nursing referral form - parent/carer
- School Nursing referral form – young person
- Sensory processing online course
- Specialist palliative care referral form
- Stroke referral form
- Subject access request application under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Take part in a study
- Test/Scan Results Follow Up FormTest/scan results follow-up form - to be confirmed
- This is me referral form
- Tissue viability SBAR referral form
- Wider school support referral
- Wound clinic referral form - phone 0300 123 3444 or medch.woundclinic.medway@nhs.net (we are working to have an online form as soon as possible)(opens in new tab)
- Year 6 School Health review questionnaire
- Year R School Health review
Updating our website
As part of this work, any links to the MCH website will be redirected to this KCHFT website.
During this transition:
- service information may be updated or moved to new webpages
- links, forms, leaflets and downloads may display either KCHFT or MCH branding
- contact details and referral routes will remain clearly signposted
- patients can continue to access services as they do now.
Looking ahead
Our services will continue to work together to:
- improve patient experience
- reduce unnecessary duplication
- support colleagues to work more closely together
- provide more joined-up care across Kent and Medway.
Our focus remains on delivering safe, effective and compassionate care for local communities.
Services provided by other providers
- Intermediate Care Rehabilitation enablers, provided by HCRG Care Group
- In patient speech and language therapy, provided by Medway NHS Foundation Trust
- Urgent Treatment Centre, provided by Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Keep up-to-date
We will continue to share updates. Check this page for the latest information about the integration.
Need help or advice?
Speak to our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
0800 030 4550
Hours: 11am to 2pm
Text 07899 903499
kentchft.PALS@nhs.net
Use our online form to:
- pay us a compliment
- request help with a query
- raise a concern/complaint.
Complete PALS online form(opens in new tab)
