Residents urged to use new health watchdog

Residents of all ages are being urged to use a new health watchdog to get more involved in how health services are run in Medway. Healthwatch Medway, set up as part of national government NHS reforms, has been set the task of championing the views of local people using the NHS and social care services. A new website – http://www.healthwatchmedway.co.uk – set for launch this summer, will provide residents with more information on the services it provides, how to get in touch and what it is doing to represent their views.

National spotlight for innovative care in Kent and Medway

Innovative care for people with serious long-term health conditions in Kent and Medway is attracting national attention and praise.

Sir John Oldham, the national NHS Lead for Long-Term Conditions, visited Kent to learn more about the proactive approach locally to improving people’s health.

Council’s innovative pilot results in savings and a better service

A new way of working with care providers, which has seen service improvement and a £1.9 million saving, has been approved by Medway Council’s Cabinet.

The approach used to award new suppliers for the council’s homecare and extra care services for adult social care clients was a pilot of the new Category Management approach to procurement.