The State of Health and Care of older people in England

Older people in rural Norfolk: feeling the strain of a stretched health and care system

A new report from Age UK warns that older people are bearing the brunt of an overstretched health and care system. In rural areas like Norfolk, where distances are greater and local services are fewer, the impact is even more severe.

Why Norfolk’s rural communities are hit harder

An ageing population

Norfolk’s population is ageing faster than the national average, with the number of people aged 85 + expected to nearly double in the next 20 years. This means rising demand for care, community support, and health services that are already under pressure.

Distance and poor transport

Many villages are far from hospitals and GP surgeries, and bus services have been cut back. For older people who no longer drive, simply getting to appointments can be a major challenge.

Digital barriers

Some rural areas still have slow broadband or patchy mobile signals, making it harder for older people to use online GP services, book appointments or access information.

Stretched care services

Local charities and care providers across Norfolk report that they’re supporting more people with less funding. Many older residents rely on voluntary organisations to fill the gaps where formal services fall short.

Carers under strain

Nearly 100,000 unpaid carers live in Norfolk — many supporting older relatives. In remote areas, travel and lack of respite make this especially demanding.

Local action making a difference

Age UK Norfolk is expanding its advice sessions into rural and coastal areas, helping older people access benefits, plan care and stay connected. It also runs projects tackling loneliness and providing support in later life.

At CAN, we work closely with local partners to address service gaps, supporting community transport, digital inclusion and rural wellbeing schemes. CAN also ensures rural voices are heard by decision-makers across the county.

Local partnerships

The Norfolk & Waveney Later Life Provider Network and the NICHE initiative are working to improve rural health equality, promote “age-friendly” towns and strengthen links between health, care and community support.

Health trends and variation in England, 2025: a Chief Medical Officer report

This annual report from the Department of Health and Social Care, provides an overview of the health of England’s population, including trends over time and geographical variation. It looks at life expectancy and population change, mortality and morbidity, maternal and child health, risk factors and wider determinants, and screening and vaccination.

Read the report here.