Chief medical officer to be shared by Kent mental health and community trusts
Date added: 22 October 2025
Last updated: 22 October 2025
The Chief Medical Officer for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, Dr Afifa Qazi, has been appointed as Interim Chief Medical Officer for Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), alongside her current role.
Dr Afifa Qazi will cover the role, while KCHFT’s current chief medical officer, Dr Sarah Phillips, takes on a new role as the Chief Medical Officer for Neighbourhoods, representing both community and mental health provider services.
This is a one-year secondment for Dr Phillips, who will apply her quality improvement expertise in developing neighbourhood health models, as part of the Government’s 10-Year Plan for Health and the national neighbourhood health implementation programme.
Dr Afifa Qazi said: “I am delighted to be joining KCHFT on an interim basis at what is an exciting time for our two trusts. I am looking forward to working with both organisations to bring together physical and mental health and provide clinical leadership across both organisations.”
Mairead McCormick, Chief Executive for Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust said: "We’re delighted Afifa is joining us on an interim basis to provide leadership to the clinical teams. Her proven track record of clinical leadership and collaboration will be invaluable, as we continue our focus on providing more joined-up healthcare for our communities.
“This is a brilliant opportunity for all of us to build stronger connections and foster a truly integrated approach, strengthening the links between mental and physical health.”
Sheila Stenson, Chief Executive for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust said: “We have a unique opportunity to ensure that as two community trusts, physical and mental health care is more unified than it ever has been before.
“Dr Qazi’s leadership across both trusts will help us to make a real and tangible difference to help people and communities across Kent and Medway, supporting them to live well. I look forward to the opportunities this brings for our local communities."
