HSE launches Traveller health action plan for Cork and Kerry region

THE HSE has launched a new plan aimed at addressing challenges confronting the Travelling community in the Cork and Kerry region.

The suicide rate in the Travelling community is six times higher than that of the rest of the population, while the infant mortality rate among Travellers, 14.1 per 1,000 live births, is more than three times the 3.9 per 1,000 live births among the general population.

The HSE’s new plan, which outlines key health priorities for Travellers across the Cork and Kerry region, was prepared by the HSE’s Cork/Kerry Traveller health unit, working in conjunction with six Traveller groups.

The plan, entitled ‘Cork Kerry Traveller Health Implementation Plan 2023-2028’ was launched by HSE CEO Bernard Gloster in Cork's Triskel Arts Centre on Thursday.

Mr Gloster said the plan set out a clear vision to ensure that Cork and Kerry Travellers’ health was prioritised.

“Working in partnership with Travellers and Traveller organisations, we are best positioned to provide safe, culturally appropriate, and sustainable healthcare for Travellers and their families,” he said.

Mr Gloster was joined at the launch by representatives from Traveller organisations which had contributed to the report.

Issues identified by Traveller groups informed the key recommendations of the report, including the need for increased funding for the sector.

Among the health priorities identified during the consultation were mental health and suicide, the impact of trauma on Traveller community health, the impact of lifelong discrimination and racism experienced by Travellers, and the impact of poor accommodation and barriers to education as key social determinants.

Other priorities identified included addiction and access to culturally appropriate services across the region, the impact of poor accommodation and barriers to education, and chronic ill health among Travellers.

'IMPORTANT DAY'

Breda O’Donoghue, co-chair of the Cork/Kerry Traveller health unit, said the publication of the report marked a very important day for Travellers across the region.

“Working together we can make a difference, and this report is just the first step in many years of hard work and partnership working, which is critical to the successful implementation of this document,” Ms O’Donoghue said.

David Lane, co-chair of the Cork/Kerry Traveller health unit, and the HSE’s general manager for social inclusion and primary care, said the HSE looked forward to working with local Traveller groups to reduce the inequalities faced by Travellers.