Patients are at the heart of the NHS but it needs to evolve to be fit for the future.
The NHS gets a set amount of money each year from the government - funded by taxpayers - and it must make that money go as far as possible. We want to hear from people about what is important to them.
NHS Kent and Medway is launching Your local NHS: What matters most - a new programme to listen, learn, and shape services together.
What matters to you when it comes to your health, care, wellbeing, and the future of the NHS?
How can the NHS provide care within its limited budget?
Providing best value care is vital, but the NHS can only spend what it's given. We need to use this money in the best way possible. NHS services need to be effective and focused on what matters most for patients. Change is happening in healthcare - both nationally and locally - guided by the NHS 10-year plan, which focuses on three big shifts:
To make these changes, we need to hear from you - patients, families, staff, and communities - about what's important.
In recent years people have told us what is important to them about health and care - through surveys, events and within community discussions .
We have developed your priorities into principles, which we plan to use as we make decisions about future services.
Thank you for those who gave feedback on the proposed principles in December, whether through our event in Maidstone or via our surveys. This information has now been given to commissioners for consideration as we draft final plans.
Please find below the report from the 9 December workshop, a report from the online survey, and the revised commissioning principles.
Revised seven principles January 2026 final
Your NHS what matters most_principles and priorities workshop 9 December 2025 report
What matters most_commissioning principles survey response report
In the next few weeks we will asking people what matters most to them about neighbourhood health, keep an eye out here for our next survey.