Public Health advice

Breastfeeding contributes to the health of mother and child in both the long and short term by providing the baby with all the nutrients they need.

Currently in Suffolk 74.9% of mothers breastfeed at birth (2022-23 data).

Suffolk's health visiting service is provided by CYP and further information for infant feeding support is available. This includes information on numbers to call for support and local groups for supporting families to breastfeed.

The national Start4Life website also offers lots of support for families from ‘how to breastfeed’ and ‘expressing breast milk’.

We commission Turning Point to provide help, advice and support around alcohol for adults and young people.

If you are interested in knowing more about alcohol, Turning Point provide an online alcohol awareness session to help you consider:

• What you already know about alcohol
• The harmful effects of drinking alcohol
• Whether you might want to make a change
• What support is available and how to access it.

If you or a family member or friend need advice about alcohol or would like to make a referral into treatment:

• email suffolk@turning-point.co.uk
• phone 0300 123 0872

Useful links:

Turning Point Suffolk Recovery Service

Iceni – helping families through addiction.

Suffolk Family Carers – provide help and support for people affected by someone else’s substance use.

Alcohol Change UK

Getting active and moving reduces your risk of major illnesses by up to 50%, and lowers your risk of death by up to 30%.

The following services provide information and guidance on getting active:

• Feel Good Suffolk offer physical activity support for those with long term conditions who would like to become more active. 
• Active Suffolk
• NHS: Couch to 5K
• Change4Life: Activities
• Start4Life: Exercising in pregnancy.

Good mental health and wellbeing is important in order to feel good about yourself, to get the most out of your life and to feel connected to others.

Wellbeing Norfolk & Waveney and Wellbeing Suffolk offer a range of free support services, including:

• stress control and wellbeing workshops
• telephone support
• short term therapy
• one to one counselling

Health checks help to prepare you for the future and identify ways to improve your health.

You are eligible for a health check if you:

• are aged between 40 and 74
• have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes or had a stroke 

How to arrange your free NHS health check 

If you meet our eligibility criteria you will be sent a letter from your GP inviting you to book your health check.

For more information visit www.healthcheck.nhs.uk

In Suffolk there are a range of services to support your sexual health needs.

Specialist sexual health services

Specialist sexual health services offer a free, confidential service providing contraception, sexual health advice, testing and treatment and HIV care and treatment.

iCaSH Suffolk provides contraception and sexual health services in a number of clinics in Suffolk.

Book an appointment with iCaSH Suffolk on 0300 123 3650.

Read more information about sexual health on the Healthy Suffolk website.

GP practices

All GPs provide contraceptive services, such as:

• Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) (e.g. the coil or implant)
• Emergency Hormone Contraception (EHC)

GPs also screen for chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted disease for those aged under 25.

Pharmacies

Most pharmacies provide free Emergency Hormone Contraception, as well as screening for chlamydia.

Nearly 1 in 5 adults in Suffolk smoke. Approximately half will die from the habit.

Feel Good Suffolk can help you kick the habit for good. In fact, you are 4 times more likely to quit with their support. They provide:

• One to one and group sessions
• Tips and advice
• Nicotine replacement products
• Other prescription medication
• Free weight management and physical activity courses if you are worried quitting could cause weight gain

Contact Feel Good Suffolk online. 

Your GP surgery or pharmacy can also help you to quit smoking. Contact your registered practice or local pharmacy for more information.

Smoking in pregnancy

We welcome referrals from pregnant women. You can self-refer by contacting Feel Good Suffolk. 

We commission treatment services for drug and alcohol misuse for adults and young people. The service is provided by the Turning Point Suffolk Recovery Service.

Dealing with the personal and social consequences of substance misuse requires all the agencies in Suffolk to work together.

If you or a family member or friend need advice about substance misuse or would like to make a referral into treatment:

• email suffolk@turning-point.co.uk
• phone 0300 123 0872

For information about alcohol misuse see our Drink wisely section.

Services that can help you:

Iceni – helping families through addiction.

Suffolk Family Carers – provide help and support for people affected by someone else’s substance use.

Talk to Frank

Alcohol Change UK