HSE CEO Bernard Gloster today launched an ambitious plan to reduce the health inequalities and challenges faced by the Travelling community.
Mr Gloster was joined by representatives from Traveller organisations from across the region to launch the ‘Cork Kerry Traveller Health Implementation Plan 2023-2028’ at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork city centre.
Six Traveller organisations worked together with the Cork/ Kerry Traveller Health Unit to develop the new plan, which outlines key health priorities for travellers across the region.
During the consultations for developing the ‘Cork Kerry Traveller Health Implementation Plan’, Traveller organisations expressed key insights, including the need for increased funding for the sector. These issues are reflected in the strategic priorities of this plan.
The following regional Traveller health priorities were clearly identified during the consultation and have been addressed in the plan:
- Mental health and suicide
- The impact of trauma on Traveller community health
- Addiction and access to culturally appropriate services across the region
- The impact of lifelong discrimination and racism experienced by Travellers
- The impact of poor accommodation and barriers to education as key social determinants
- Traveller Chronic ill health
- The need for culturally appropriate health promotion for Traveller men and cultural supports such as horse projects
- The need for culturally appropriate health promotion for LGBTI+, older Travellers and disabled Travellers
- Access to services for Travellers in rural areas
Bernard Gloster, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive, commented on the success of the launch, adding:
“It is a great privilege to join together with the proactive Traveller organisations in Cork and Kerry to help launch the Cork/ Kerry Traveller Health Implementation Plan ‘Missling on the Tobar’ 2023-2028. This new plan sets out a clear vision to ensure that Cork and Kerry Travellers’ health and wellbeing is prioritised, whilst also focusing on establishing equitable outcomes in health for Travellers and their families. 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.”
Tess O’Donovan, Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare welcomed the launch of the Cork Kerry Traveller Health Implementation Plan 2023-2028, adding:
“I am extremely proud of our dedicated Cork/ Kerry Traveller Health Unit team, as they launch this important plan. The ‘Cork Kerry Traveller Health Implementation Plan 2023-2028’, not only promotes safe and equitable access to healthcare, but it also sets out clear measurable targets to ensure that Traveller health is given prominence on our healthcare agenda.”
David Lane, General Manager for Social Inclusion and Primary Care and Co-Chair of the Cork/ Kerry Traveller Health Unit said:
“This marks the culmination of many months of hard work involving a large number of key stakeholders. A particular word of thanks to all of the Traveller Organisations involved in the development of this plan; along with colleagues and friends in the health services. We really look forward to working together to reduce the inequalities and challenges faced by so many Travellers across Cork and Kerry.”
Breda O’Donoghue, also Co-Chair of the Cork/ Kerry Traveller Health Unit said:
“This is 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.”
View the Cork Kerry Traveller Health Implementation Plan 2023-2028 (PDF, 9.83 MB, 43 pages)
Last updated on: 29 / 02 / 2024
