Foreword from the Chief Executive

Helping local people live their best life

Delivering brilliant care through brilliant people is at the heart of everything we do at Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT). We want everybody in Kent and Medway to be able to live their best life; to stay physically and mentally fit and well, with access to high quality services and support if, and when, they need them.

I am delighted to present our new Organisational strategy for the next three years which will help us, in partnership with our NHS, local authority and community partners, achieve that goal.

Our Organisational strategy reflects much of the work that is already underway at a national and local level, from the national drive for increased integration across health and care systems as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, to the way we are already forging closer and more effective working relationships across the NHS, local authorities and within the voluntary and community sector across our county.

We have also taken time to reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on local people, our staff and the wider health and care system. While 2020 was a uniquely challenging year, and 2021 is likely to be very challenging too, it is important to recognise the positive changes to services that have progressed at pace in response to the pandemic that we want to
build on, including greater use of technology, more collaborative working between and across organisations and a greater appreciation for the commitment, resilience and drive of our staff.

COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on the importance of mental health services and mental health and wellbeing support for the entire population. Significant changes to the way we live, work, and interact have made conversations about mental health and emotional wellbeing centre stage and I am determined that KMPT should be a system leader for these ongoing conversations.

The goal of deeper integration and a ‘systems first approach’ through the establishment of an integrated care system across Kent and Medway is one that KMPT can be instrumental in achieving. We have a strong organisational focus on which to build and are ideally placed to act as champions for delivering holistic, high quality, mental and physical health care on which service users and their loved ones can rely.

I am proud to lead KMPT and confident that the aims and objectives set out in this strategy are well within our grasp. Every one of us has an important part to play in bringing about the changes that we all want to see. We must respond to the changing demands of the population we serve, make the most of new and emerging technologies and interventions
for those who need us, nurture, develop and support our staff, work collaboratively with our partners, and most importantly of all, deliver brilliant care through brilliant people.

Helen Greatorex, Chief Executive