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Appendix R. Tayside Health Board - Outreach Services for Gypsy Travellers
Topics: Hard to Reach Groups
Background
Gypsy travellers suffer significant health inequalities, even when compared with other socially deprived or excluded groups. This is most marked in terms of self reported anxiety, respiratory problems and chest pain. A number of key issues in accessing healthcare are prevalent for this group including lack of continuity of care, difficulties in registering with a doctor and high levels of anxiety and stress.
Funding allocation
The pilot was allocated £60,000
Aim(s)
To provide an outreach health screening and surveillance service to gypsy travellers in Angus.
Methodology
The project was a descriptive pilot/ impact assessment and sought to contact travellers living either on one of two council run sites which housed up to 38 families in total or on unauthorised sites ranging from houses to disused land.
The health worker visited two days a week and worked to determine health issues and signpost clients to local services. The health worker was also a member of the Gypsy Traveller Liaison group.
Primary outcomes were the number of successful contacts between Outreach service and clients and the number of service contacts made on behalf of clients.
The secondary outcomes were the numbers and socio-demographic distribution of: patients contacted; patients who were contacted and offered follow-up services; patients who attended follow-up services and patients views regarding acceptability.
Key results
The health worker saw 160 people between January and September during the project run.
It was noted that it took quite a while to build trust with clients and the health worker felt that they were only really beginning to engage with people near the end of the project.
A number of health related issues were identified including lack of knowledge about services, lack of information concerning how to contact them and discrimination at some health centres.
The project encouraged use of the Patient Record of Personal Health - developed by the National Resource Centre for Ethnic Minority Health in consultation with the gypsy traveller community and health professionals. In addition, the project also saw the development of an information leaflet highlighting healthcare services in Angus.
Conclusions
While it was felt to take time to build up trust the health worker managed to begin to address health issues through the project.
However, it is suggested that owing to the complexities involved in addressing health inequalities, a sustainable commitment in funding is required. Also a successful approach requires the various agencies to work together as health is multi-faceted and is affected by accommodation, environment, life experiences and education.
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