Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust - a clearer name for the care we provide
From Monday 13 October 2025, we will become Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.
This is more than a name change. It is part of a much wider programme of improvement, shaped by more than a year of listening and working side by side with patients, families, staff, partners and communities.
People told us our current name - Kent and Medway NHS Social Partnership Trust (KMPT) - is confusing. Many didn’t realise we are the NHS specialist mental health provider for the whole of Kent and Medway, which we are proud to do. That confusion can make it harder to find help, harder for professionals to refer to the right care and can add unnecessary stress when people are most in need.
And our new vision to help people not just live with mental illness, but live well – sets our ambition, shared by all who helped up create it, for the future.
Why are we doing this now?
- Clearer access to help, when it matters most. The 10 Year Health Plan calls for care that is joined-up, person-centred, and easier to navigate. A clear, plain language name makes is simpler for people to find the right mental health support early and for professionals to refer people to us with confidence.
- Part of a bigger improvement journey. Over the past year we’ve co-created new values – Caring, Inclusive, Curious and Confident – and launched our Doing Well Together improvement approach. This change is one step in improving safety, quality and patient experience across every service.
- Communications and experiences that reflect our values. This new identity is more than a name. It is a full reset of our identity that clearly explains our mission, vision, values and ambition – and ensures our communications and inclusive, accessible and welcoming for everyone who needs us and contacts us.
- Proud to stand for mental health and tackle stigma. Our new name says clearly that we are a mental health trust. We want people to know that mental health care is core NHS work and that someone’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. We want to actively help challenge the stigma that still stops some from seeking support and be proud of what we do and our staff.
- Facing our challenges openly. Like many NHS trusts, we know there are areas we must improve and we welcome our stakeholders – from patients, staff, partners and regulators – to challenge us to do better. Being honest about where we need to do better is important – and making it clear who we are and what we do is part of getting care right first time and improving outcomes. Our stakeholders told us this was important and so we listened and acted on their feedback and experience.
- Ready for the future. We are preparing to take on new services, including children and young people, and to deliver the 10 Year Health Plan’s focus on prevention and care closer to home. Clarity now helps us deliver those ambitions.
- We’re proud of what we do. to be the specialist NHS mental health provider for Kent and Medway. Our clearer new name helps people find the right care quickly and confidently and supports our wider improvement journey.
How does this benefit everyone?
- Easier to find help: so people reach the right support first time, avoiding delay and distress.
- Clarity is kindness: using words, images and designs that are accessible for everyone, and a name that says what we do
- Better experience: drive by our Caring, Inclusive, Curious and Confident values.
- Supports long-term ambitions: aligns with the 10 Year Health Plan and our new Doing Well Together improvement approach.
More than a new name
Our new identity isn’t just a name change and new logo. It’s a commitment: to make mental health care in Kent and Medway easier to find, easier to use and easier to trust. So people cannot just live with mental illness but live well.
Frequently asked questions
We are all aware that the NHS faces significant challenges. More people need help, but resources are limited, making life harder for many and complicating health problems. That’s why it’s vital to be clear about who we are and how we help.
Our new identity is a direct response to these pressures. By choosing a name and identity that truly reflect our work, we strengthen relationships and make our services easier to access and trust.
This is happening as we prepare to take on new services. For the first time ever, we’ll care for people of all ages, including children and young people, across Kent and Medway. That makes clarity about who we are and how we can help more important than ever.
You’ll know we deliver mental health care. Currently many people don’t. By being clear about who we are and what we do, we can help those in crisis find the calm they need, raise awareness of our services and help us connect with more people who need our support.
Additionally, we want other professionals to recognise us as a valuable resource for those with severe mental illness. Our aim is to positively impact lives, build trust, and create strong community connections while promoting awareness and understanding of mental health issues.
This change is happening gradually, over about 18 months, using already planned work and existing budgets. No money is being taken from frontline care.
We chose our name to show we care about the people around us. We worked together to pick a name that shows we want to help and support everyone.
We will be providing our new brand guidelines, assets, and templates to all key stakeholders and partners from Monday, 8 September. If you haven’t received yours, please email KMPT.identity@nhs.net
Every organisation has an identity showing who they are and what they do. This helps people trust us when we help them.
Before, there was a problem. People said it was hard to get help for mental health. They also said that the way we looked was outdated, and our words were difficult to understand.
Our new identity helps us meet the goals of the NHS's 10-Year Plan. It tells our communities who we are and how they can get help. This approach supports the care we provide, moving from hospitals to community services.
We are investing in digital methods of working rather than relying on outdated paper-based systems. Our new identity helps us create clear and accessible patient information and experiences that align with the digital age. Our vision aims to change mental health care from just "living" to "living well." We can focus more on preventing illness instead of just treating it.
If you can't find the answer to your question, don't hesitate to get in touch. We are here to assist you. Email us at KMPT.identity@nhs.net, and we'll be more than happy to help you.
Soon to be Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
We are proud of who we are and to stand up for the importance of mental health care, This clearer name and identity are one step in making our services more accessible, inclusive and trusted for everyone who needs us.
