The East of England covers Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

There is 5.6 million people in the region, with a higher than average proportion of people aged over 65. The vast majority of people are from a white ethnic background, with about 400,000 people from non-white backgrounds. The population is expected to grow by 11% over the next 14 years; with the population aged over 85 expected to double in the next 20 years.

There are areas of deprivation and a significant number of people who find it difficult to access NHS and other public services. These include migrant workers; Gypsies and Travellers; and people in the criminal justice system.

The complexities of the region require the need for services to be available as locally as possible, and developed accordingly to meet the expected changes in population.

Read Towards the best, together to find out more about the East of England population.