Nursing near you: East of England

Welcome to the east of England

Stretching from Hertfordshire in the south to Norfolk in the north, the east of England is the second largest English region by area.

It has seen faster population growth than any other English region in the past 12 years.

This page was last updated in January 2025.

Key statistics for this region

Population health

This region has a population of 6,701,177
In 2023/24, there were 24,420 children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) who were classed as obese. This equates to a rate of 33.4, which is better than the England national average
As of 2024, there were 57,118 dementia diagnoses for those aged under 65. This equates to an estimated rate of 63.3, which is better than the England national average
In 2022, there were 7,944 deaths among those aged under 75 classed as preventable. This equates to a rate of 134.9 deaths per 100,000 of the regional population, which is better than the England national average

Life expectancy

The male life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years, which is better than the England national average
The female life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years, which is better than the England national average

Workforce planning

There are 34,079 NHS nurses and health visitors in this region
As of December 2024, there were 508.5 NHS nurses and health visitors per 100,000 of the regional population
As of December 2024, there were 2,015 nurses working in general practice. This is equal to 3.0 nurses per 10,000 of the regional population
As of November 2024, there were 3,075 community service nurses. This is equal to 45.9 nurses per 100,000 of the regional population
As of November 2024, there were 209 district nurses. This is equal to 3.1 nurses per 100,000 of the regional population
As of October 2024, 55,461 full-time equivalent days had been lost to work sickness among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to a workforce sickness rate of 5.2%
As of October 2024, 10,562 full-time equivalent days were specifically lost to mental health issues (such as stress and anxiety) among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to 19.0% of all workforce sickness absence days

6,701,177 Population of region

34,079 Full-time equivalent NHS nurses and health visitors

Statistics by local integrated care system (ICS)

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

Population health

This ICS has a population of 1,016,380
In 2023/24, there were 4,655 children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) who were classed as obese. This equates to a rate of 36.1, which is similar to the England national average
Between 2018/19 to 2023/24, 68,352 people aged 40 to 74 received an NHS health check. This equates to a proportion of 24.2 of those eligible, which is worse than the England national average
As of 2024, there were 7,069 dementia diagnoses for those aged under 65. This equates to an estimated rate of 68.4, which is similar to the England national average
In 2022, there were 1,222 deaths among those aged under 75 classed as preventable. This equates to a rate of 152.7 deaths per 100,000 of the ICS population, which is similar to the England national average

Life expectancy

The male life expectancy at birth is 79.5 years, which is similar to the England national average
The female life expectancy at birth is 83.0 years, which is similar to the England national average

Workforce planning

There are 3,333 NHS nurses and health visitors in this ICS
As of December 2024, there were 327.9 NHS nurses and health visitors per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of December 2024, there were 252 nurses working in general practice. This is equal to 2.5 nurses per 10,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 47 community service nurses. This is equal to 4.6 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were No data district nurses. This is equal to No data nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of October 2024, 5,212 full-time equivalent days had been lost to work sickness among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to a workforce sickness rate of 5.0%
As of October 2024, 644 full-time equivalent days were specifically lost to mental health issues (such as stress and anxiety) among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to 12.4% of all workforce sickness absence days

NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Population health

This ICS has a population of 928,260
In 2023/24, there were 3,235 children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) who were classed as obese. This equates to a rate of 32.5, which is better than the England national average
Between 2018/19 to 2023/24, 74,546 people aged 40 to 74 received an NHS health check. This equates to a proportion of 29.0 of those eligible, which is better than the England national average
As of 2024, there were 6,507 dementia diagnoses for those aged under 65. This equates to an estimated rate of 59.3, which is worse than the England national average
In 2022, there were 1,102 deaths among those aged under 75 classed as preventable. This equates to a rate of 145.3 deaths per 100,000 of the ICS population, which is better than the England national average

Life expectancy

The male life expectancy at birth is 80.3 years, which is better than the England national average
The female life expectancy at birth is 83.2 years, which is similar to the England national average

Workforce planning

There are 8,380 NHS nurses and health visitors in this ICS
As of December 2024, there were 902.7 NHS nurses and health visitors per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of December 2024, there were 361 nurses working in general practice. This is equal to 3.9 nurses per 10,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 771 community service nurses. This is equal to 83.1 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 69 district nurses. This is equal to 7.4 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of October 2024, 13,212 full-time equivalent days had been lost to work sickness among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to a workforce sickness rate of 5.0%
As of October 2024, 2,189 full-time equivalent days were specifically lost to mental health issues (such as stress and anxiety) among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to 16.6% of all workforce sickness absence days

NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex

Population health

This ICS has a population of 1,506,720
In 2023/24, there were 5,055 children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) who were classed as obese. This equates to a rate of 30.6, which is better than the England national average
Between 2018/19 to 2023/24, 123,538 people aged 40 to 74 received an NHS health check. This equates to a proportion of 28.2 of those eligible, which is similar to the England national average
As of 2024, there were 12,182 dementia diagnoses for those aged under 65. This equates to an estimated rate of 64.7, which is similar to the England national average
In 2022, there were 1,519 deaths among those aged under 75 classed as preventable. This equates to a rate of 119.8 deaths per 100,000 of the ICS population, which is better than the England national average

Life expectancy

The male life expectancy at birth is 80.9 years, which is better than the England national average
The female life expectancy at birth is 84.8 years, which is better than the England national average

Workforce planning

There are 5,758 NHS nurses and health visitors in this ICS
As of December 2024, there were 382.2 NHS nurses and health visitors per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of December 2024, there were 315 nurses working in general practice. This is equal to 2.1 nurses per 10,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 471 community service nurses. This is equal to 31.3 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 16 district nurses. This is equal to 1.1 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of October 2024, 8,860 full-time equivalent days had been lost to work sickness among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to a workforce sickness rate of 4.8%
As of October 2024, 1,502 full-time equivalent days were specifically lost to mental health issues (such as stress and anxiety) among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to 17.0% of all workforce sickness absence days

NHS Mid and South Essex

Population health

This ICS has a population of 1,209,355
In 2023/24, there were 4,635 children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) who were classed as obese. This equates to a rate of 33.3, which is better than the England national average
Between 2018/19 to 2023/24, 119,493 people aged 40 to 74 received an NHS health check. This equates to a proportion of 35.1 of those eligible, which is better than the England national average
As of 2024, there were 10,627 dementia diagnoses for those aged under 65. This equates to an estimated rate of 66.1, which is similar to the England national average
In 2022, there were 1,416 deaths among those aged under 75 classed as preventable. This equates to a rate of 133.7 deaths per 100,000 of the ICS population, which is better than the England national average

Life expectancy

The male life expectancy at birth is 80.2 years, which is better than the England national average
The female life expectancy at birth is 83.8 years, which is better than the England national average

Workforce planning

There are 6,091 NHS nurses and health visitors in this ICS
As of December 2024, there were 503.6 NHS nurses and health visitors per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of December 2024, there were 302 nurses working in general practice. This is equal to 2.5 nurses per 10,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 489 community service nurses. This is equal to 40.5 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 71 district nurses. This is equal to 5.9 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of October 2024, 9,711 full-time equivalent days had been lost to work sickness among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to a workforce sickness rate of 5.1%
As of October 2024, 1,979 full-time equivalent days were specifically lost to mental health issues (such as stress and anxiety) among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to 20.4% of all workforce sickness absence days

NHS Norfolk and Waveney

Population health

This ICS has a population of 1,042,267
In 2023/24, there were 3,400 children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) who were classed as obese. This equates to a rate of 35.0, which is similar to the England national average
Between 2018/19 to 2023/24, 125,676 people aged 40 to 74 received an NHS health check. This equates to a proportion of 41.6 of those eligible, which is better than the England national average
As of 2024, there were 10,993 dementia diagnoses for those aged under 65. This equates to an estimated rate of 61.5, which is similar to the England national average
In 2022, there were 1,434 deaths among those aged under 75 classed as preventable. This equates to a rate of 139.3 deaths per 100,000 of the ICS population, which is better than the England national average

Life expectancy

The male life expectancy at birth is 79.4 years, which is similar to the England national average
The female life expectancy at birth is 83.2 years, which is similar to the England national average

Workforce planning

There are 6,259 NHS nurses and health visitors in this ICS
As of December 2024, there were 600.6 NHS nurses and health visitors per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of December 2024, there were 433 nurses working in general practice. This is equal to 4.2 nurses per 10,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 734 community service nurses. This is equal to 70.4 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were No data district nurses. This is equal to No data nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of October 2024, 11,441 full-time equivalent days had been lost to work sickness among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to a workforce sickness rate of 5.8%
As of October 2024, 2,777 full-time equivalent days were specifically lost to mental health issues (such as stress and anxiety) among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to 24.3% of all workforce sickness absence days

NHS Suffolk and North East Essex

Population health

This ICS has a population of 998,195
In 2023/24, there were 3,440 children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) who were classed as obese. This equates to a rate of 34.2, which is better than the England national average
Between 2018/19 to 2023/24, 103,118 people aged 40 to 74 received an NHS health check. This equates to a proportion of 35.6 of those eligible, which is better than the England national average
As of 2024, there were 9,740 dementia diagnoses for those aged under 65. This equates to an estimated rate of 60.2, which is similar to the England national average
In 2022, there were 1,252 deaths among those aged under 75 classed as preventable. This equates to a rate of 132.6 deaths per 100,000 of the ICS population, which is better than the England national average

Life expectancy

The male life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years, which is better than the England national average
The female life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years, which is better than the England national average

Workforce planning

There are 4,258 NHS nurses and health visitors in this ICS
As of December 2024, there were 426.5 NHS nurses and health visitors per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of December 2024, there were 352 nurses working in general practice. This is equal to 3.5 nurses per 10,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 563 community service nurses. This is equal to 56.5 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of November 2024, there were 54 district nurses. This is equal to 5.4 nurses per 100,000 of the ICS population
As of October 2024, 7,025 full-time equivalent days had been lost to work sickness among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to a workforce sickness rate of 5.3%
As of October 2024, 1,471 full-time equivalent days were specifically lost to mental health issues (such as stress and anxiety) among nurses and health visitors. This was equivalent to 20.9% of all workforce sickness absence days