Gypsies, Roma and Traveller community members are often not able to get the health treatment they need with a negative impact on their health. Solutions to barriers of access need to be identified and better understood to reduce inequalities.
Background
In the UK, Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities tend to die 10 years younger than the general population. Many have faced direct stigma and discrimination due to their ethnicity whilst others are acutely aware of the poor treatment peers have received. Consequentially, levels of trust are extremely low, delaying and preventing attempts to access necessary treatment and care. When people do reach out for help, communication and understanding with health professionals is often poor.
Project aims
Since forming in 2024 the East of England GRT Health Community of practice has continued to facilitate discussions between community members, health practitioners, and decision-makers locally, regionally and nationally, mobilising knowledge gained during research to affect change. The project aimed to
- Identify solutions to reduce inequalities through improving understanding of barriers to access for GRT communities and dialogue
- Find new and better ways to involve Gypsies, Roma and Travellers (and health care practitioners) in shaping health research, policy, and practice
Project activity
- Consultation with community members on NHS reform and updating whole system action plans (2025/26). In February 2026 the GRT Health CoP consulted community members on the NHS 10 year health plan and is now analysing interview data and coproducing evidence-based, community-driven action plans aligned with NHS reforms. The aim continues to be making access to healthcare more Gypsy, Roma Traveller community members and other marginalised groups more equitable. Consultation findings and 2026 Whole System Action plans are anticipated to be published in June 2026.
- Building a community of practice to identify strengths, barriers and prioritise solutions to the right of access to healthcare for Travelling Communities (2023/24). We conducted participatory action research identified solutions to enable more equitable access to healthcare for people with different histories, lifestyles and backgrounds. Research participants included GRT community members, healthcare practitioners, and decision-makers.
Findings
This research laid a foundation for more inclusive healthcare practices and future initiatives to further improve access and outcomes for communities. It has also made important progress in addressing health inequities for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities by identifying key barriers, developing practical solutions, fostering collaboration among stakeholders across ethnic and organizational boundaries, and creating pathways to implement findings. The research identified two potential long-term solutions for trial (see next steps) and concluded with coproduction of nine whole system action plans to improve access to healthcare for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. These plans constitute a selection of high impact actions, achievable in the short term, providing a framework of priority steps for organisations wanting to take urgent action to address inequalities of access to healthcare. Work on these action plans is continuing on an ongoing basis.
Next steps
Building on this work we plan to seek funding to build on the CoP’s progress and drive measurable improvements in access, equity and culturally competent care through:
- Trialling a GRT Community Access Hub where salaried GRT health champions facilitate access to healthcare with making appointments, interpretation and support with issues arising, enabling effective communication and enhancing cultural understanding between patient and health professional (with cost-benefit analysis).
- Learning how to increase the number of trusted practitioners, informed by ongoing work on trust, relationships and inclusion within the CoP.
- Scaling up shared learning and collaboration across roles and regions supported by:
- A networking event enabling community members and professionals to share good practice
- A dedicated space on NHS Futures, to support ongoing knowledge exchange and co-production of innovative research and projects, with threads on inclusive care models, enabling and supporting GRT ethnicity data collection, health resources for GRT communities, and resources to strengthen cultural competency and communication in practice.
Papers and resources
Download the implementation framework, titled 'Whole System Action Plans'
Download the related poster raising awareness of barriers and solutions to GRT access to healthcare
This project can be viewed in case study format for easy accessibility
Who is involved?
- Professor Ewen Speed, University of Essex
- Sally Burrows, University of Essex
- Professor Gill Green, University of Essex
- Dr Koldo Casla, University of Essex
- Petr Torak, Community Partnership Group (COMPAS)
- Sherrie Smith, GATE ESSEX
- Tanya Blumenfeld, GP
- Shaynie Larwood, Nurse
- Beverley Carpenter, Oblique Arts
- Shirley Barratt One Voice 4 Travellers
Contact us
Professor Ewen Speed, esspeed@essex.ac.uk
Sally Burrows sally.burrows@essex.ac.uk
Acknowledgement
This project was supported by the NIHR through the Research for Patient Benefit scheme, see award (NIHR 204503)
