28 August 2026
AI as companion and adviser: researchers call for greater understanding of its impact on human relationships
Artificial Intelligence is becoming more than a tool for many people. Large Language Models are increasingly being used for companionship, advice and emotional support. Researchers at Kent and Medway Medical School and collaborating institutes are examining what sustained interactions with these systems could mean for how our relationships, mental health and wellbeing.
27 August 2026
Kent and Medway leading new approach to mental health care
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is leading the way nationally, helping to shape a major project that’s changing how mental health care is delivered across the country.
21 August 2026
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust recognised for its commitment to carers
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has retained its 2-star Triangle of Care accreditation, demonstrating continued progress in improving the experience of families, friends and carers who support people using mental health services.
20 August 2026
Trust cuts longest waits for community mental health support by almost half
The number of people waiting more than 38 weeks for community mental health support in Kent and Medway has fallen by 47% since January, with 144 fewer people now facing the longest waits for care.
14 August 2026
Creativity and recovery celebrated though patient artwork exhibition
Artwork created by a patient receiving care at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is being showcased at Canterbury’s Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, celebrating their creativity and achievement and highlighting the role of meaningful, personalised activity in patient care.
13 August 2026
New therapeutic gardening project supports mental health patients in Kent and Medway
Mental health patients in Kent and Medway are growing vegetables, learning practical skills and building confidence through a new therapeutic gardening project at Willow Gardens in Maidstone.
10 August 2026
New research highlights potential of digital therapy for binge eating disorder
New research involving Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust highlights how supported digital therapy could help NHS services provide accessible, flexible treatment for people with binge eating disorder.
07 August 2026
Nurse-led quality improvement initiative improves support for people who repeatedly self-harm
A nurse-led quality improvement initiative “Start-a-Fresh” is helping people who repeatedly self-harm access specialist psychological support sooner across Kent and Medway.
05 August 2026
Kent and Medway Mental Health Charity launches ‘Seeing Dementia Differently’ campaign
People across Kent and Medway are being encouraged to take on a challenge this August to raise money and awareness as part of a new dementia campaign.
31 July 2026
Have your say in the 2026 Community Mental Health Survey
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is running the 2026 Community Mental Health Survey as part of its national survey programme. Only around 1,200 people who use community mental health services across Kent and Medway will have the opportunity to take part.
30 July 2026
Kent and Medway mental health charity invites community to help shape new identity
A charity dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing across Kent and Medway is inviting local people to help shape its future by designing an icon for its new logo, following the launch of its new name.
29 July 2026
CQC lifts safety notice for Health-Based Places of Safety in Kent and Medway
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has lifted the safety notice issued to Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust last year for its Health-Based Places of Safety, following improvements made across these services.
New research highlights how specialist teamwork can unlock life-changing mental health treatment
New research from Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust highlights how specialist teamwork can enable people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and treatment-resistant schizophrenia to safely access life-changing treatment, even when their care is highly complex.
21 July 2026
Welcoming new chaplains to support mental health care across Kent and Medway
Patients, carers and colleagues across Kent and Medway will have greater access to pastoral, spiritual and religious support as Reverend Shavaun Shodeinde and Melissa Jack join Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust’s chaplaincy team.
20 July 2026
Supporting brighter futures through personalised education in mental health care
As schools across the country prepare for the summer holidays, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is highlighting how children and young people receiving specialist inpatient mental health care continue their education through personalised learning at The Rosewood School.
Mental health trust strengthens research ambition with role at Kent and Medway Medical School
Professor Sukhi Shergill, Director of Research and Innovation at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, has been appointed as the substantive Director of Research at Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS), marking a significant step forward in the existing partnership working between the 2 organisations.
17 July 2026
AI project to support next generation of mental health clinicians
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is leading an innovative project exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) generated virtual patients can help medical students develop essential clinical skills in psychiatry and mental health care.
16 July 2026
Patient councils driving improvements in inpatient mental health care
Patients are helping to drive improvements to inpatient mental health care across Kent and Medway through patient councils, where their ideas are leading to changes that are improving care, ward environments and recovery.
