Kent and Medway Integrated Care System

Integrated care systems (ICSs) are partnerships between the NHS and councils, working with others, to plan and deliver joined up local health and care services to improve residents’ lives.

On 1 July 2022 the Health and Care Act 2022 became law. The Act aims to make it easier for health and care services to collaborate and enabled NHS England to set up 42 integrated care systems across the country – including one for Kent and Medway.

By working together health and care organisations can:

  • improve the health of children and young people
  • support people to stay well and independent
  • act sooner to help those with preventable conditions
  • support those with long-term conditions or mental health issues
  • care for those with multiple needs as populations age, and
  • get the best from collective resources so people get care as quickly as possible.

Kent and Medway Integrated Care System

Kent and Medway’s integrated care system involves a wide range of partners including NHS Kent and Medway, Kent County Council  and Medway Council. They are supported by district Councils, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) and Healthwatch.

Read more about the Kent and Medway ICS

Integrated Care Board

The Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a statutory NHS organisation responsible for developing the overall integrated care system plan for meeting the health needs of its local residents.

The ICB also manages the local NHS budget and plans and buys healthcare services to meet the needs of people living in its area.

ICBs replaced clinical commissioning groups on 1 July 2022 and hold public meetings.

Read about Kent and Medway’s ICB

Read more about Kent and Medway ICB meetings

Integrated Care Partnership

The Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) is the statutory joint committee of an integrated care system.

Kent and Medway’s ICP is made up of Kent County Council, Medway Council and NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Responsible for developing the strategy and plan for bettering health and care in Kent and Medway, our ICP is currently chaired by Kent County Council Leader Roger Gough.

Meetings of the committee are held in public and available to watch via video link.

Read more about the partnership

Read more about Kent and Medway’s Integrated Care Partnership joint committee meetings

Integrated Care Strategy for Kent and Medway

In January 2023, the first 5 year Integrated Care Strategy for Kent and Medway was launched.

This ambitious plan sets the vision for how NHS Kent and Medway, Kent County Council and Medway Council can work together with others to make improvements in health and care for local residents.

Read more about the plan to improve health and care in Kent and Medway

Read the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Strategy