Helping people stay healthy and well

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.

I’m pleased that NHS services in Kent will be getting an extra £5 million to upgrade facilities this winter.

This is part of a £300 million fund to improve A&E services across the country.

An extra £1.6 billion is being provided by the Government to local authorities to help them respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Councils and volunteer groups are playing a crucial role in our response to the coronavirus.

Now more than ever, money needs to be spent where it’s most needed in the health service.

I’m pleased the Government has decided to write off £13.4 billion of debt from NHS providers across England, freeing them up to invest in vital services.

Coronavirus is a global pandemic. It requires an international response and the Government is stepping up to this challenge.

The UK’s international strategy has four main strands:

The Coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation.