Patients in Kent and Medway gain 24/7 online access to mental health appointments

Patients in Kent and Medway can now access their mental health appointments online through My Health and Care Record (MHCR), giving them 24/7 access to essential appointment information. 

Launched today, Wednesday 8 April 2026, by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, MHCR aims to empower patients, improve engagement, and streamline administrative tasks for staff, allowing more time for patient care.

From today, patients can view their appointments online through MHCR and the NHS app, along with additional patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and experience measures (PREMs). The trust has put robust processes in place to ensure information is shared safely and accurately. From June 2026, patients will also be able to access documents and care plans, further enhancing their ability to manage their care.

The programme was developed in partnership with Care for Kent and Medway and is powered by Patients Know Best (PKB). During a pilot phase, uptake exceeded expectations: 65% of eligible patients registered, 25 percentage points above the planned 40% target, and more than 18,000 appointment bookings have been shared via the portal since December 2025.

Around one-third of registered users accessed the portal weekly, demonstrating strong engagement and interest in managing their own care. Previously, appointment details and documents were only sent by post, which could cause delays, missed appointments, and frustration for both patients and staff. Staff also spent considerable time responding to telephone queries.

By integrating the portal with electronic patient records, appointments are now shared automatically online. Patients will receive an email invitation to register, with an easy opt-out, and verification checks maintain data accuracy and confidentiality.

Nina Phoenix, Chief Nursing Information Officer for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust said: “My Health and Care Record is a significant step in our digital transformation. It is changing how we involve people in their own care by giving them secure access to information, helping them prepare for appointments, and enabling more meaningful conversations with clinicians. 

“One example of this in that our patients will be able to complete their DIALOG scores before their appointment, freeing up valuable time and ensuring conversations focus on what matters most to them, truly putting the patient at the centre of the care we provide.”

Patients were involved throughout development. One patient who took part in the pilot said: “I feel more included and in control. I can access the information I need to manage my care.

The portal is expected to enhance patient experience, streamline workflows, and enable more patient-led services across Kent and Medway. It also supports the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year-Plan by giving patients greater control over their care and helping services become more digitally enabled, reflecting the trust’s commitment to putting people at the centre of care and improving how services are delivered.