All Ireland Traveller Health Study Our Geels - Department of Health ...

Health Survey Findings
Replication and Expansion of the PHCTP
During the last 15 years, the Pavee Point Primary Health Care for Travellers Project has demonstrated
that this model can help to significantly improve Primary Health Care for Travellers. As a result, other
Traveller organisations have decided to replicate this type of Project with their own local health service
provider. There are now 40 Primary Health Care for Traveller Projects at varying stages of development,
located around the country.
The model involves enabling individuals and organisations to improve health through informed health
care, self-help and mutual aid. It means encouraging and supporting local initiatives for health. Crucially
it is a flexible system that can be adapted to the health problems, the culture or ‘way of life’, and the
stage of development reached by the community. Design and implementation of successful PHCTPs is
determined through a process that values empowerment, partnership and advocacy, allowing partners
to highlight inequity and negotiate solutions.
Through using community development principles PHCTP has facilitated community participation by
building capacity and supporting the community to identify and address health issues. This approach
has empowered individuals to enhance skills, take control and participate in decisions that affect their
lives in order to address the health of their community.
‘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 only two out of every 100 Travellers lives to 65 years of age’
Missie Collins, Community Health Worker, at the launch of the Primary Health Care for
Travellers Report by Mr. Michael Noonan, T.D., Minister for Health. 12th June 1996
Measures of Overcoming Barriers to Health Promotion and
Healthcare for Minority Populations: International Experience
There is a strong international literature on the health needs of minority groups ranging for example
from the Inuits of Canada (Young, 2003; 2005; Health Council of Canada, 2005), the Aboriginals and
Maoris of Australia and New Zealand (Carson et al., 2007; Davis et al., 2006; Anderson et al., 2006; Pincock,
2008) Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans in the United States (Rhoades, 2003; Roubideaux, 2005;
Kaufman et al., 1998) and South America, immigrant Asian and West Indian populations in the United
Kingdom (Davey-Smith et al., 2000; Smaje and Le Grand, 1997), and Roma and Gypsy populations in
Europe (Parry et al., 2007; Cemlyn, 2009; Vokó et al., 2009; Hajioff and McKee, 2000). Indeed the Irish in
Britain and the US have been documented extensively also (Clucas, 2009; Kelleher et al., 2006; Scally,
2004; Garrett, 2002; Abbotts et al., 1997). This literature concerns itself with several aspects of catering
equitably for distinctive groups and individuals across society. At the level of provision of services,
barriers may be encountered such as language and norms of behaviour. Healthcare providers may
fail to appreciate nuances of understanding that lead to an inadequate treatment experience. Access
may be impeded by resources, eligibility and means of payment. Cultural aspects such as family and
social support and the differing needs of men and women are all considerations. Practicalities in
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