Listening to the Upper Peninsula

Healthwatch Medway undertook engagement with 47 residents living on the Upper Medway Peninsula, carried out in January 2026, as part of a year‑long project on the wider determinants of health. Residents consistently described strong community connections as the most positive aspect of living in the area, with 43% mentioning community and 95% of those comments being positive. People reported feeling safer, socially connected, and supported by local groups such as churches, lunch clubs, Men in Sheds, book clubs, and voluntary organisations like wHoo Cares.

Despite these strengths, residents expressed significant concerns about transport, roads, and access to healthcare. Seventy percent of residents mentioned transport and road quality, and 30% described the local bus service as poor, particularly in more rural locations such as the Isle of Grain and Allhallows. Poor bus services were said to restrict access to healthcare, employment, shopping, and social activities, with teenagers and people without cars being especially affected. Thirty‑two percent of residents raised concerns about road conditions, most commonly potholes and flooding, with some reporting vehicle damage or feeling unsafe travelling.

Access to healthcare was another major issue, with 34% of residents calling for improvements. Many residents said they would like GP services to be closer to where they live or more available overall. Distance to GP surgeries, particularly the surgery in Hoo, was identified as a barrier, especially for people with long‑term health conditions. Some residents also described poor continuity of care and a lack of joined‑up communication between GP services and hospitals.

Digital exclusion emerged as a significant barrier to accessing healthcare. Residents without computers or internet access, particularly those aged 75 to 84, reported relying on family members to book appointments or manage their care, meaning access depended on when help was available. No residents under the age of 45 reported digital exclusion as an issue.

Overall, the report concludes that while the Upper Medway Peninsula benefits from strong community resilience and mutual support, residents feel neglected by Medway Council and face persistent challenges related to transport, road infrastructure, healthcare access, and digital exclusion. These issues disproportionately affect older residents, those with long‑term conditions, and people living in the most rural parts of the Peninsula.