Become our next Chief Executive

Dear Candidate, 

Thank you for your interest in joining Medway NHS Foundation Trust as our next Chief Executive. This is a pivotal moment for our organisation; one defined by ambition, honesty, and a deep commitment to delivering outstanding care for the communities we serve. 

At Medway, our vision and values guide how we work and who we aspire to be: bold, collaborative, compassionate and inclusive. These values have never been more important as we continue our journey of improvement and cultural renewal. Our Integrated Improvement Plan  underpins this journey, providing a structured, data‑driven improvement methodology that empowers our teams to make sustainable change and enhance patient and staff experience. 

We are also working through, with transparency and determination, the findings of an independent cultural review. The review highlighted unacceptable behaviours experienced by some colleagues, including bullying, discrimination, and a lack of psychological safety, and we have fully accepted its recommendations. We are taking wide‑ranging action: strengthening Freedom to Speak Up arrangements, rolling out inclusion and safety training, embedding Executive Inclusion Champions, reforming HR processes, and refreshing staff networks to ensure all voices are heard. In terms of strategic direction, the Board of Medway Foundation NHS Trust and Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust have agreed to form a Group. Our leadership structure remains two separate Boards as we work together to improve clinical services, digital and corporate services. 

Financially, Medway operates within a challenging system environment. The Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board faces a significant deficit heading into 2026, underscoring the scale of financial pressure across the region and the importance of strong system working. We have just moved from the NHS Recovery Support Programme to the National Provider Improvement Programme due to our financial challenge.  We face substantial cost pressures, workforce challenges, and ambitious efficiency expectations requiring disciplined stewardship, strategic clarity, and transformation aligned to financial sustainability. 

Against this backdrop, the role of Chief Executive carries both significant responsibility and enormous opportunity. You will lead an organisation committed to continuous improvement, cultural change, stronger partnership working, and high-quality, compassionate care. You will play a central role within the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System, helping to integrate services, reduce inequalities, and improve population health. 

We hope this pack gives you a clear sense of who we are, where we are heading, and the impact you can make. Thank you again for your interest. We look forward to learning how your leadership could shape Medway’s future. 

Warm regards,

John Goulston, Chair, Medway NHS Foundation Trust