Same care. Same people. Different NHS trust 

Your care is staying the same. You will still see the same people, in the same places, and get the same help. The NHS organisation in charge is changing, but the care you get is not. 

It does not change your appointments, or who you see.

It does not change your place on any waiting lists – this change will not make you wait longer. 

The only change you will see is a different NHS trust name on buildings, signs and letters.

Our inpatient and eating disorder colleagues will wear a different uniform.

 

What is changing?

From Spring the eating disorder and children and young people’s mental health services currently run by North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) in Kent and Medway will be run by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust instead.  You won’t experience any changes apart from seeing new logos on letters, signs and buildings. You will carry on seeing the same people as you do now, in the same places and use the same emails and telephone numbers to contact them.

 

Why are services moving to another trust? Why is it a good thing ?

This change will help services work better together. Children, young people and families in Kent should, over time, find that services feel more joined up. It means teams are able to talk to each other more, share more information so people don’t have to keep telling their story and it will help better support children moving over to adult services.

 

Will it save money?

This change is not about saving money. It’s about making sure services work better together, so children and adults across Kent and Medway don’t miss out on the mental health help they need.

 

What this means for services

What changes, if any, will there be short term and long term on services?

In the short term, nothing changes about the care you get. You will see the same people and get the same help. This time is about making sure everyone feels settled and supported as services move to a new NHS trust.

Over time, services should work better together. This will help children, young people and families get the right help more easily. It should also make moving from children’s services to adult services easier when that time comes. We will listen carefully to children, young people and families to do this.

 

How will we access services after they move to Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust?

In the same way as you do now. You will see the same people, in the same places and continue to use the same telephone numbers and email addresses to contact them.

You’ll be able to use the online self-referral forms as you do now, the only difference is they will be on Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust’s website.

You will still be able to access urgent help by calling 111 and choosing the option for mental health. As ever, call 999 if there is threat to your or someone’s else life.

 

Will it change my appointments?

No. Appointments will continue to be made as they are now. And if you have an appointment on a date after the services move to their new NHS Trust, please attend it like you normally would.

 

Will it change the support/therapy I get?

No. You will still see the people you know and trust, in the same places, and use the same contact details to get hold of them.

You’ll also carry on receiving the same treatments and care as you do now.

 

What will happen, after the move, when me or my child turns 18?

In the short-term the move from children and young people’s services to adult services will stay as it is now.

Over time, services should work better together. This will help children, young people and families get the right help more easily. It should also make moving from children’s services to adult services easier when that time comes. We will listen carefully to children, young people and families to do this.

 

Will it change waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments?

Services will carry on working in the same way as they do now when they first move to Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. But North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) is working very hard to reduce wait times and that work will carry on after the move. There is also lots of info about how you can get help while you wait: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/support-whilst-you-wait-nlds-adhd

 

If I am on a waiting list does this mean I am going to the back of a new waiting list?

No. This will not change your place on the waiting list.

 

How will this change affect ordering of ADHD medication?

It won’t change – you’ll carry on doing what you do now.

 

Your data

Will my personal data (like name and address) move to the new trust when the services move?

Your information won’t move for the first year. It will stay private and safe in the same systems it is in now. Staff will continue using their existing systems when they join Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

Some staff at the new trust will be able to see your data if they need it to do their job or keep you safe. Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is part of the NHS and subject to the same strict rules as every other NHS Trust when it comes to keeping personal information safe.

 

When will information about me move and how will it be kept safe?

Your information is still private and safe. It is only used to help with you care and that will continue. Longer term, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust will start to move your information onto their own systems. But they won’t do this until they’re completely sure everything is safe and your data goes to the right place. And they will tell you they are doing this.

There are lots of security measures in place to make sure only the people that need personal information can get to it.

 

Staffing and structures

 

Will the way the services are overseen change?

Yes, the services will be overseen by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust’s Executive Management Team and Board. There is lots of information on their website if you want to know more about who these people are.

 

Will there be a change to the services’ leadership teams?

No. Current leaders will remain in place. This will help ensure stability so services continue to operate smoothly and safely.

 

Will staffing levels change?

No. The people who work in these services now are also moving to Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. So, they will carry providing the same care and support as usual.