How are health services in Wales supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities?

A new study carried by Dr Rhiannon Evans from the Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), which is funded by Health and Care Research Wales, and Jay Harley and Jasmine Jones of Gypsies and Travellers Wales looks at barriers experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities when accessing health services.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities experience some of the poorest health outcomes and health inequalities among any population in the UK according to the House of Commons and Equalities. This research mapped the services available to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and explored their experiences with healthcare providers. 

Dr Rhiannon Evans says:

This service mapping is an important piece of work in starting to understand how we are meeting the health needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in Wales. It clearly identifies some key gaps and limitations, giving us a steer for future research, policy and practice in this area."

The study identified a range of barriers to the service and provided four main recommendations on how health services in Wales can be improved:

1. More healthcare data

Given the lack of healthcare data for these communities in Wales, this needs to be strengthened to support an understanding of the health needs, risk profiles and outcomes of these populations in Wales.

2. Support GPs

The most commonly used and preferred healthcare providers by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are General Practitioners (GPs) who need to be further supported in meeting culturally specified needs.

3. Co-produce new services

Newly tailored services may need to be developed and should be co-produced with the communities they intend to engage.

4. Use a holistic approach

Welsh Government should consistently and systematically attend to the needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across all health areas. This includes addressing the systematic drivers of poor health, such as housing, and ensuring that appropriate services are being delivered.

To read the report in full visit the DECIPHer website.