The East of England Strategic Health Authority was established in July 2006 and covers Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.  The health authority is one of the largest in England and serves a population of approximately 5.4 million people.  They oversee and support the work of primary care, hospital, ambulance and mental health trusts in this region.

The health authority maintains a strategic overview of healthcare, provides leadership to all NHS organisations across the six counties and is ultimately accountable to the Secretary of State for Health.  They are responsible for ensuring that national standards and priorities are maintained, whilst aiming to improve and modernise health services.

More information available at http://www.eoe.nhs.uk/.