How we fit into the NHS Structure

The work of the Medway NHS Foundation Trust is overseen by the board of directors who have a statutory responsibility for the Trust.

As a Foundation Trust we also have a council of governors, an elected group of members who represent their constituent's interests.

This class of information describes the NHS, major NHS policy documents, NHS Foundation Trusts and how Medway NHS Foundation Trust fits into the local NHS structure.

The Medway NHS Foundation Trust is one of over six hundred NHS Trusts within the NHS; a full list of these can be found at the NHS Choices website.

The Trust serves a population of more than 424,000 people in the Medway and Swale area. The people of Medway and Swale chose the name, Medway Maritime to reflect the rich maritime heritage of the Medway and Swale area.

The Medway Maritime Hospital is an acute NHS Foundation Trust providing outpatient, inpatient, maternity and emergency services for adults and a special care baby unit, medical, surgical, development and community nursing care for children. A full range of services appears in the 'our services' section.

The work of NHS Trusts is co-ordinated by the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG's). A full list of these can be found at the NHS Choices website.

We work with the Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group who are responsible for commissioning and monitoring NHS services for the people of Medway and Swale, in addition to providing community services such as general practitioner services and community nursing and community therapy services. Additionally, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust provides mental health services across the same area.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Medway NHS Foundation Trust became an NHS Foundation Trust on 01 April 2008. This means that there is far greater local ownership and involvement of patients, the public and staff in the plans of the hospital rather than control from the department of health.

As a Foundation Trust we remain part of the NHS and continue to be subject to NHS standards, performance ratings and systems of inspection. We are accountable to NHS Improvement to ensure we comply with the terms of our license. 

We also work in partnership with non NHS organisations including:

  • Kent County Council
  • Medway Council
  • Swale Council
  • Canterbury Christ Church University
  • University of Greenwich
  • University of Kent
  • The Police
  • Prison services
  • Community groups 

About Us