A new plan for improving health and care has been launched for people in Kent and Medway.
The Integrated Care Strategy has been produced by NHS Kent and Medway, Kent County Council and Medway Council, supported by district councils, Healthwatch organisations and the voluntary sector. It looks at how health and care colleagues from the NHS and local councils can work together to make improvements.
Its priorities include:
- Giving children the best start in life and working to make sure they are not disadvantaged by where they live or their background and are free
from fear or discrimination. - Helping the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society to improve their physical and mental health; with a focus on the social determinants of health and preventing people becoming ill in the first place.
- Helping people to manage their own health and wellbeing and be proactive partners in their care so they can live happy, independent and fulfilling lives; adding years to life and life to years.
- Supporting people with multiple health conditions to be part of a team with health and care professionals working compassionately to improve their health and wellbeing.
- Ensuring that when people need hospital services, most are available from people’s nearest hospital; while providing centres of excellence for specialist care where that improves quality, safety and sustainability.
- Making Kent and Medway a great place for our colleagues to live, work and learn.
Giving children the best start in life
Cllr Alan Jarrett, Leader of Medway Council, said: “We are really pleased to be part of this plan to help all residents in Medway, and Kent, receive the best possible care and live long and healthy lives. This strategy builds on the work we have been doing for some time in Medway. It means even closer collaboration with our partners to reduce health inequalities and make sure residents receive the right support when they need it the most. Although the strategy covers all aspects of health and care for the entire population, I am delighted that giving children the best start in life is one of the strategy’s top priorities. Children are at the heart of everything we do in Medway and we are continuing to work with children and young people to make Medway even more child-friendly.”
More than health and care services
Paul Bentley, Chief Executive of NHS Kent and Medway, said: “This plan recognises that people’s health, care and wellbeing are impacted by economic, social and environmental factors more than the health and care services they can access. Together, we pledge to bring the full weight of our organisational and individual efforts to work together to enable the people of Kent and Medway to lead the most prosperous, healthy, independent and contented lives they can. We will be working with local people and communities and businesses over the coming year to understand from them how we can achieve our ambitions and develop the strategy further.”
Working together to reduce inequalities
Cedi Frederick, Chair of NHS Kent and Medway, said: “Through this collaborative movement, we will work together to reduce economic and health inequalities, support social and economic development, improve public service outcomes and ensure services for people are excellent quality and good value for money. Together, we can.”
Working as one to support our communities
Roger Gough, Leader of Kent County Council, said: “Health and wellbeing are shaped by many factors including housing, education and jobs so we will seize this opportunity to bring our essential adult, children’s, and public health services together with the NHS to improve Kent residents’ lives. As Chair of the Integrated Care Partnership, I know how committed vital partners are to working as one to provide the joined-up support our communities need and deserve – not just during this difficult winter, but into the future. And, despite the complex challenges ahead, including an expanding ageing population, together I am optimistic we can transform health and wellbeing services, tackle health inequalities and enable healthy living.”