A new name, a clearer purpose

This work began more than a year ago, led by over 700 hours of listening to colleagues, patients and partners about the current name, Kent and Medway NHS Social Partnership Trust (KMPT). They told us it is confusing and does not represent what we do anymore. Not using the term "mental health" makes it hard for people to understand our services and the support we provide. Our name should clearly show our commitment to mental health. This way, people in need can easily find and access our support. 

Our name doesn't match what we do anymore. We're not a partnership trust, and we don't provide social care. It is important our name reflects the care we give and the people we support. 

It's much more than that. Our name and how we look help people understand who we are and what we stand for. It represents our commitment to supporting and caring for people with severe mental health illnesses. 

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.