Howard Estate in Bury St Edmunds labelled the most deprived ward in West Suffolk and will be pilot area for new blood pressure project

A Bury St Edmunds estate has been labelled the most deprived ward in West Suffolk – and will be the focus of a new pilot to address healthcare inequality in the area.

The Howard Estate was highlighted by healthcare bosses in the West Suffolk Alliance (WSA) in a recent report, due to factors including a disabled population, which at 22.1 per cent is higher than the Suffolk average.

The wider area, including Northgate, has significantly higher rates of hospital admissions compared to the national average, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), self-harm and alcohol related conditions being some key areas of concern.

Now the WSA, which is made up of health care groups and local authorities, will focus on encouraging residents to manage their blood pressure – proactively identifying those at risk of a cardiac event.

From this month the project will be rolled out on the Howard Estate, with the hope it can be expanded to include other deprived areas.

Michelle Jennings, secretary of the Howard estate association of residents and tenants (HEART), said that though she had not been told about the project, she hoped it would help those that needed health support.

Having lived on the Howard Estate since 1975, Mrs Jennings agreed that the community faced health challenges, including an ageing population and what she described as a ‘phenomenal rise’ in the number of residents struggling with alcohol and substance abuse.

She said: “These poor people aren’t getting any help.”

GP surgeries will now start to contact residents whose health records show they have unchecked high blood pressure, or if they are at risk of having high blood pressure.

Mrs Jennings said: “I think the project will benefit a lot of people, especially the elderly. But it will be good for all ages, younger people can have things picked up through blood pressure checks.”

Residents contacted about their blood pressure will be asked to attend their GP surgery. As the project progresses they may be able to have their readings taken at locations on the estate. Details will evolve based on discussions with the community.

Mrs Jennings and her fellow committee members believe the New Bury Community Centre, has a key role to play in helping families maintain a healthy lifestyle, with antenatal and vaccination clinics already run from the venue in Charles Place.

Sue Bluett, HEART treasurer, said in her opinion people on the Howard Estate were happy and there was a strong community spirit, however she would like to see more health services in the area.

Praising the estate’s Day Lewis Pharmacy for the work they did during the pandemic, Mrs Bluett highlighted a previous campaign led by HEART’s former chairman Ernie Broom, who wanted to see GP services run from there.

Mrs Bluett said: “It would nice to be have a triage clinic on the estate – my son has to go to his doctor’s surgery every day to have his dressings changed.

“It can be a challenge for some people to get to town, the nearest doctors is Victoria Surgery.”

Her husband Treveor Bluett, vice-chairman of HEART, highlighted the growing population of the Howard Estate, Mildenhall Estate and Marham Park, which don’t have a GP surgery.

Councillor Frank Stennett, who represents the Howard Estate at town and district level, has been in contact with WSA about the blood pressure screening project.

He has been told the alliance aims to provide the checks within the community wherever feasible, including potentially from the community centre.

Cllr Stennett is keen that open spaces in and around the Howard Estate can be used by families and wants to improve the offering at the Tollgate sports field and Oakes Road field.

He said: “Johnny Chandler, founder of the Howard Estate Green Hearts, lobbied councillors for an outdoor gym. It is an amazing facility located at the heart of the Howard Estate community.

“It is forward thinking like this which will help improve health and wellbeing, including our mental health, that is why I fully support this current initiative, and will continue to strive for these essential facilities for residents.”

Peter Wightman, WSA director, said: “We will be working with the residents to help them take steps to reduce their risk of coronary heart disease and other long-term health conditions.

“Our aim is to give local people the best opportunity to live long, healthy and happy lives, and hope to extend the project.”