Understanding the population demographics is fundamental to the delivery of services. The health needs of a population differ as the population ages. Children and older people are the greatest health service users, but their needs are very different. People from different ethnic cultures and backgrounds may experience barriers to health care, such as language.
The population of Kent and Medway is not uniform. Dartford and Gravesham have a more ethnically diverse population than other parts of Kent. Medway and Eastern Coastal Kent Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have a relatively young population, whilst the population of West Kent tends to be older.
Vulnerable groups within our population would also include, homeless, refugees and immigrants, people with a disabilities and carers and traveller populations.
