Hospice launches gardening group in Woodbridge to support long-term carers

Why it matters: The programme aims to tackle health inequalities between deprived and affluent areas in the region. In central Ipswich and Tendring, residents are more likely to be obese, smoke, and require emergency hospital care compared to areas like Framlingham and Great Bentley.

The big picture: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) staff are using routine patient interactions, such as outpatient appointments, to offer lifestyle support and referrals to specialist services.

By the numbers:

• 6,500 patients have been referred to support services

• More than half of hospital inpatients referred to stop smoking services have successfully quit

• 23.8% of people in the most deprived areas smoke, compared to 6.8% in least deprived areas

• Adult obesity rates are 2.4 times higher in most deprived areas

What they're doing: The trust has launched several targeted projects including:

• A 20-week healthy eating programme for children called 'Nourish'

• Inpatient stop smoking services at Ipswich hospital

• Picture menus on hospital wards to encourage healthy eating

What they're saying: Sally Barber, associate director for health inequalities at ESNEFT, said: "Figures show that there is a significant difference in the quality of life experienced by people in our most deprived areas compared with that enjoyed by those in the least. Tackling health inequalities is therefore a priority for ESNEFT as we want to make sure that everyone gets the same opportunities and access to health and wellbeing support, regardless of where they live."

Bottom line: The trust plans to make the programme "business as usual" for its teams to help even more people improve their health and wellbeing in the future.