The number of people waiting more than 38 weeks reduced from 305 in January 2026 to 161 in July 2026 following targeted work by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust to reduce waiting times and improve access to support.

Julie Kirby, acting chief nurse at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: ‘We've achieved this by actively reviewing waiting lists, improving how people move through services and making sure people are directed to the right support as quickly as possible. Our focus now is on going further, making community mental health care easier to access, more joined up around people's needs and available closer to home.'

The trust has also strengthened the way it manages waiting lists to ensure people waiting the longest are identified and reviewed regularly, helping teams offer the most appropriate support as quickly as possible.

Alongside reducing waiting times, the trust is working with NHS, local authority and voluntary sector partners across Kent and Medway to make mental health support easier to access and better connected around people's needs.