Helping people stay healthy and well

Councillors and volunteers are playing a crucial role in our response to the coronavirus.

I’ve been truly impressed at the scale and speed of the response here in Faversham and Mid Kent, from our County Council to parishes and community groups, charities and local businesses. 

This is not the start to the year any of us would have wanted.

I’m delighted that local practices are joining hospitals in helping to rollout the vaccine.

I’m delighted that hospitals and other healthcare facilities across Kent will be getting over £10 million in extra investment this winter.

While I’m glad to see the national lockdown coming to an end, I know some people will be frustrated that the whole of Kent is going into Tier 3 as part of the new local restriction tiers.

This is a situation none of us wanted to be in, but we cannot wish it away.

We can’t ignore the rise in infections we’re seeing across the country, including in Kent. And we cannot ignore the pressure this is putting on our NHS hospitals and frontline services.

An extra £17.7 million is going to Kent County Council to support local services this winter.

The announcement last week means Kent has received over £138 million in extra funding from the Government since the pandemic began.

People who use the NHS 111 service in Kent, Medway and Sussex will benefit from a wider range of healthcare professionals as part of an enhanced service.

Two of our hospitals in East Kent are getting a cash injection of £7 million to support A&E capacity during of the winter months.

After years of hard work, the Kent and Medway Medical School has welcomed its first students this month.

I'm delighted that over 100 founding medical students have started their Batchelor of Medicine Batchelor of Surgery programme at the county’s first medical school.