NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent was formed on 1 October 2006. We have just over £1billion to invest in healthcare for the 710,000 people spread over 700 square miles living in the Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Shepway, Swale and Thanet areas. As the leader of the local NHS, NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent has the explicit aim of addressing health inequalities, improving health outcomes and focusing on the health and wellbeing of the population.