News

People across Kent and Medway are being invited to help shape a bold new vision for the future of local health and care services. 

NHS Kent and Medway has launched its draft plan for 2027/28, setting out how the NHS proposes to transform services to better meet the needs of local people as demand continues to grow. 

The draft plan outlines a dramatic shift in how services are delivered from 2027, and everyone is invited to have their say.  

Proposals include improving access, joining up care, supporting people earlier and making services more sustainable for the future. 

There is a stronger focus on neighbourhood health, community support, shorter waits, safer care and preventing illness before people reach crisis point. 

It also acknowledges the significant pressures facing the NHS, including rising demand, an ageing population, health inequalities, workforce challenges and financial constraints. As a result, careful choices are needed about how NHS resources and budgets are used. 

Public engagement over the summer will give residents, patients, carers, staff, community organisations and partners the opportunity to comment on the proposed approach before the plans are finalised in September 2026. 

The proposals - known officially as commissioning intentions - build on feedback already received from residents, staff and partners, which shaped the draft Five Year Strategy. The commissioning intentions show how that longer-term vision could begin to be delivered from April 2027. 

Have your say 

Residents will be asked for their views on key ambitions, including providing more care closer to home, improving access and waiting times, strengthening prevention, supporting people with long-term conditions earlier, and making better use of digital tools while making sure no one is left behind. 

The summer engagement programme will also cover specific areas where further review is planned, including assisted reproductive technologies and fertility services, urgent treatment centres and maternity services, alongside wider work to understand the needs of communities who often face extra barriers to care. 

NHS Kent and Medway's Chief Executive Adam Doyle said: “This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of health and care in Kent and Medway.

“These draft plans set out a bold ambition for care. We know the NHS is under real pressure and patients aren't always getting the best care in the right place. 

“We cannot keep doing more of the same.

“The commissioning intentions propose changes that mean services will be more joined up and care will be easier to access and closer to home, where it is safe and appropriate.

“But we cannot do this alone. It is so important we hear from patients, carers, communities, staff and partners before final decisions are made.

“People have already told us they want clearer routes into care, shorter waits, better communication and more support to stay well. 

“We want people across Kent and Medway to help shape how local health and care services develop in the future. This engagement will help us understand what matters most to local people and how we can deliver improvements in a way that is fair, practical and sustainable.”  

Get involved

Residents, patients, carers, staff and partner organisations are encouraged to read the draft commissioning intentions and share their views during the engagement period. 

Feedback will be used to refine the final document before it is presented to the NHS Kent and Medway board in September 2026. 

Get involved and have your say via our survey.