Local News

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) has six public governor vacancies open for election locally in the county.

Public governors are volunteers who represent the views of local communities and help influence how community services are developed and delivered. They play a vital role in making sure services reflect the needs, experiences and priorities of the people who use them.

Public Governor for Tonbridge and Malling Rachel Knight (pictured) stood for election as a way to share her experiences and say thank you for care her husband has received.

Rachel told SFM: “My husband had an aortic aneurism and stroke 20 years ago, which has meant he has needed lifelong NHS care. Much of this has been from community services, so I stood for governor to share our experiences and say thank you. I have always loved the NHS and I felt it was an opportunity to give something back.”

This year’s elections come as  community healthis set to be at the heart of the NHS's 10-Year Plan and KCHFT has been selected as a national Neighbourhood Health pioneer, with public governors having the opportunity to be involved in shaping how care is delivered closer to home and within local neighbourhoods.

John Goulston, KCHFT Chair told SFM: “How we support people to stay well and out of hospital, and how we give children the best start in life are at the core of community NHS services in Kent. We need you to share your experiences and help us shape these services so the voice of patients is at the heart of our decisions.”

Who can stand for election

To stand as a public governor, individuals must:

• be a member of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
• live in one of the areas with a current vacancy
• be aged 16 or over

They currently have a public governor vacancy in each of these six constituencies:

• Canterbury
• Folkestone and Hythe
• Gravesham
• Swale
• Thanet
• Tunbridge Wells

Membership is free and people who are not already members can sign up online.

Join can join as a member at: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/membership-form/

Nominations are now open and applications must be submitted via the official election website: www.cesvotes.com/Kentcommunity202

People choose to become governors to:

• represent their local community and give people a voice
• influence how community health services are designed and improved
• bring lived experience, local knowledge and fresh perspectives
• gain insight into how the NHS works and develop new skills
• make a meaningful difference to health and wellbeing locally.

Existing governors describe the role as rewarding, eye-opening and a powerful way to contribute to positive change in their communities, but don't just take our word for it. Hear from some of our governors why they chose to stand for election in this short video.

To find out more visit their website at: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/community-health-online/could-you-join-us-as-...

Members who would like more information or support with applying can contact the Governor Support Team on - email: kcht.governors@nhs.net or phone: 0300 013 2143.

A man has died in hospital following a serious collision on the M2 last week.

The incident happened on the coastbound carriageway of the M2, near to Medway Services at 8pm on Thursday (15th January) evening.

Emergency services attended the scene after reports of a single vehicle collision involving a gold-coloured Jaguar XF. The driver, a man in his 50s, sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital, where he died on Saturday (17th January).

An investigation by Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit continues and witnesses, including those with dashcam footage, are urged to call the appeal line.

Anyone with any relevant information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 798 538 quoting reference XX/DH/009/26, or they can email sciu.td@kent.police.uk

Dashcam or phone footage can be uploaded online: here.

CCTV images have been released after an alleged assault in a Sittingbourne public house in December.

Kent Police were called at 7.55pm on Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24th December 2025) to the Golden Hope Wetherspoons pub on Park Road, where an 18-year-old man was reportedly assaulted by a group of men inside and outside the venue. He suffered cuts and bruises.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and investigators are now able to release images of people who may be able to assist them in their enquiries.

Anyone who may recognise them, or who may have relevant information about the incident, is urged to call the appeal line on 01795 419 119, quoting reference 46/219881/25.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.

Witnesses and dashcam footage are being sought following a fatal collision near Iwade yesterday (Saturday 3rd January).

Kent Police were called by South East Coast Ambulance Service to reports a car had left the carriageway of Old Ferry Road at around 8.30pm. Officers attended alongside paramedics and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and assisted rescue efforts by closing the road between the junctions with Raspberry Hill Lane and Sheppey Way.

Two occupants of the blue Ford Fiesta were later declared deceased, with a third being taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Detectives from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are now appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or who may have relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, to contact them.

Anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage should submit the footage via this link https://kep.uk.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/oldferryroadrtc-03jan26

To report any information about the collision you can call 01622 798538 quoting reference BN/JM/001/26 or, alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at:- https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-ano....