Primary Health Care for Travellers Programme
Travellers are a minority ethnic group with different perceptions of health, disease and care needs, they require special consideration in health care.
The most recent study - a 1987 Health Status study - showed that Traveller health is well below that of the majority population. Traveller women live 12 years than settled women and Traveller men live 10 years less than settled men. The distinct characteristics of Travellers imply that innovative approaches to service organisation, content and delivery are required if health conditions are to improve.
Our Geels - The All Ireland Traveller Health Study
A newer study - the All Ireland Traveller Health Study, was undertaken by Traveller groups and University College Dublin in 2008 and 2009, and is due for publication on 2 September 2010. More on the study is available on its dedicated microsite - Our Geels
Our Primary Health Care for Traveller's project is a joint project between Pavee Point and the Health Service Executive and seeks to respond to this situation. The project has been up and running since 1994.
Aim
To improve the health status and quality of life of Travellers in Community Care Area 6 (Dublin).
Awards
This project won a World Health Organisation Award in May 2000 and a Guinness Living Dublin Award in 2002.
Work of the Project
This project currently sees Traveller women working as Community Health Workers in Community Care Area 6, HSE Dublin Northwest.
The work includes: - In-service training for health professionals - Community based health liaison work - On-site health education sessions - Co-ordinating visits to a variety of clinics - Production of Traveller specific health promotion material - Research on and survey of Traveller health - Media work - Organising seminars and conferences - Representing Traveller health issues on the National Traveller Health Advisory Committee When presented with their Community Health Worker Certificates in 1998 by the then Minister for Health, Brian Cowen TD, Missie Collins said: "This is the first time Travellers have got this type of training and job. We understand our own people and believe that given the proper support and resources we can begin to improve the health of our community. It is no longer acceptable that Travellers die so young."
Replication of the Project
The success of the project has seen it replicated by numerous Traveller organisations and health boards around the country.
To facilitate this replication - Pavee Point organised a Training for Trainers course, accredited by University College Dublin.
National Traveller Health Strategy
Primary Health Care for Travellers Projects are endorsed and promoted in the Government's recent National Traveller Health Strategy 2000-2005.
Contact us:
All Ireland Traveller Health Study
Presentation for NTHN 23rd October 2007
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Launch of DVD on All Ireland Traveller Health Study
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All Ireland Traveller Health Study - Order Form
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All Ireland Traveller Health Study
Presentation for NTHN 23rd October 2007:
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Toolkit and Guidelines for the Employment of Travellers in the Health Service Executive
Traveller Health Unit, Eastern Region
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Read press release
Composite Submission - to the Consultation Process for the Preparation of a National Intercultural Health Strategy From Travellers And Traveller Organisations Nationally
2007 | 41 pages
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