The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Kent County Council was scheduled to discuss updates on ambulance service collaboration, the response to Care Quality Commission findings at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, and a proposed integration between two community health trusts. The committee was also set to review its work programme for the upcoming year.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Update on Group Model Collaboration

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the collaboration between the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) and South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS). This collaboration aims to create a group model, with a public announcement made regarding the intention to form the South Central and South East Ambulance Group. The transition to this new group model is planned to occur in phases between late 2025 and 2027. The report indicated that this move is supported by NHS England (South East) and aligns with the NHS 10 Year Plan, with the goal of strengthening patient care, ensuring sustainable services, and building a more resilient ambulance system across the region. The proposed model includes a shared leadership structure with a single Chief Executive and Chair for both trusts.

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust CQC Response Update

An update was scheduled regarding the response from the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust to reports published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection in March 2025. The CQC reports covered community mental health services for all-age adults and working people, as well as crisis mental health care and Place Based Places of Safety. Both services received an overall rating of 'Requires Improvement'. The report indicated that the Trust fully accepted the CQC's findings and was actively working to address concerns, particularly regarding safety. The Trust had implemented a new, more robust risk assessment framework and was monitoring its progress through audits. The update also noted that a Healthwatch Kent report, published in October 2025, provided further feedback from service users, with a significant proportion of this feedback being negative regarding community mental health teams and Mental Health Together.

Proposed Integration between Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and Medway Community Healthcare

The committee was scheduled to consider information regarding the proposed integration between Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and Medway Community Healthcare CIC (MCH). The two organisations announced in July 2025 that they were exploring the potential benefits and implications of working more closely, with the preferred option being for MCH's staff and services to transfer to KCHFT. A strategic outline case was submitted to NHS England, and following feedback, KCHFT and MCH were progressing with a full business case, planned for submission in April 2026. If approved, the integration is expected to be completed by 1 October 2026. The rationale for this integration includes rapidly increasing demand and complexity of care, significant health inequalities, recruitment and retention challenges for specialist teams, and financial pressures within the Kent and Medway system. The expected benefits include better care and outcomes, a more resilient workforce, innovation, and financial and operational efficiencies.

Work Programme

The committee was presented with the proposed work programme for 2026. This programme was compiled from actions arising from previous meetings and topics identified by committee members and the NHS. The committee was asked to note the proposed items and suggest any additional topics for future inclusion. Items proposed for upcoming meetings included a review of the proposed reconfiguration of stroke services in East Kent, an update on the proposed establishment of a Group between Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, and a discussion on Neighbourhood Health with a focus on provision and access. Items yet to be scheduled included further updates on the SECAmb and SCAS collaboration, the KCHFT and MCH integration, and the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust CQC response.