An exhibition highlighting the therapeutic value of art in managing mental health issues is being held at County Hall, Maidstone this month. The display, entitled ‘Art in Mind’ will see the art gallery next to the Stone Hall filled with drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture and papier-mâché from Monday, September 23, until October 11. Organisations taking…
This World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), Kent residents are being encouraged to complete new suicide prevention e-learning courses which raise awareness of how to support people they may be concerned about. Latest figures show that the current three-year average (2016-2018) for suicide rates in Kent is now 10 per 100,000 population compared to 11.6…
The Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department of Health and Social Care is visiting Thanet today (Friday 6 September) to see some of the work underway to help and improve residents’ health. Professor Chris Whitty will become the new Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Adviser to the United Kingdom Government in October.…
The NHS and local councils want to transform health and care services for children and young people and are calling on local people to get involved and help. A recent Healthwatch survey showed children and young people in Kent and Medway want their voice to be heard when local services are designed, and the NHS…
Kent County Council’s stand, number 348, will be focusing on Kent’s Year of Green Action at this year’s County Show. Kent County Council will once again be at the Kent County Show next month (July) focusing on Kent’s Year of Green Action. The County Show is held at the Detling Showground, Maidstone on July 5,…
A heatwave warning has been announced for Kent, leading to advice by health experts to help vulnerable residents stay safe and well. The level two alert has been triggered by a Met Office forecast of a 70 per cent chance of temperatures reaching heatwave conditions between Thursday morning and Saturday. It reports that warm air…
A strategy for the restoration and creation of habitats in Kent that are thriving with wildlife and plants is going out to public consultation. The Kent Biodiversity Strategy consultation launches today (Monday) and aims to ensure the county’s natural environment regains and retains good health. Kent has a rich and varied biodiversity with globally rare…
Public Health England (PHE) South East is urging people in Canterbury to check they are up-to-date with two doses of MMR vaccine following five confirmed cases of measles in the area. PHE is working closely with NHS and local authority partners to raise awareness of how the public can protect themselves and their families and…
An event to celebrate three years of community mental health services Live Well Kent took place in Maidstone on Friday (17 May). Live Well Kent provides a free, person centred, holistic service that supports individuals to manage issues in life that impact on their mental health and wellbeing. It is open to any Kent residents…
A suicide prevention conference has been held as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, bringing together organisations from across Kent including local authorities, health providers, emergency services, community groups, charities and the private sector. Led by the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) of which KCC is a partner, the ‘Release the Pressure’…
Swift actions have already been taken to improve care for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), following a critical letter from Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) and the CQC (Care Quality Commission). Kent County Council and the NHS are working together on a joint strategy to improve care…
A new European funded project is underway in Kent to tackle the rising number of sexually transmitted infections among people in their forties by encouraging people to discuss the issue. Studies reveal major changes in sexual behaviour over the last century, including increasing numbers of sexually active older people. The over-45s at risk are generally…