The development of the Primary Health Care Project in South East Galway has been through a partnership venture with the Galway Traveller Movement and the Western Region Health Service Executive. It is an innovative and creative response to the health issues affecting Travellers. This programme is similar to other Primary Health Care Initiatives and has been developed to suit the needs of the Traveller community in South East Galway. The Primary Health Care Project in South East Galway is a Peer led Initiative, and based on community development principles.
Background:
The Primary Health Care Project in South East Galway was established in response to the poor health status of Travellers. Some indicators of this poor health status include:
• Traveller men live, on average, 10 years less than settled men
• Traveller women live, on average, 12 years less than settled women
• Infant mortality rate for Travellers 18.1 per 1000 live births, compared to a national figure of 7.4
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) 12 times higher among Travellers than national figure (1999)
Aims:
• To roll out culturally appropriate Primary Health Care Initiative in South East Galway
• Provide a Training Course for 16 Traveller women in the provision of community based health service
• Provide opportunities for Traveller women to develop skills in Primary Health Care
• Identify, explore and carry out appropriate responses to the poor health status of the Traveller community in South East Galway
• Address inequalities that exist in health care provision for Travellers and engage in communication between Travellers and the Health Service Executive
Actions:
The Primary Health Care Project commenced its training phase in January 2007. The first three years of the project are a Foundation and Training phase. After this, trainees will be working in South East Galway as Community Health Workers with Travellers. Trainees will cover various modules during the training phase, including Community Development, Health Awareness, Healthy lifestyle, Primary Health Care, Communications and media, personal and interpersonal skills, Diversity in Ireland, literacy and numeracy skills etc. There will be a focus on the health of men, women and children, as well as mental health, environmental health, health service provision, health care delivery etc. The vision of the programme is to improve the health status of the Traveller population in South East Galway that is participative, inclusive and based on the principles of equality and self-determination.
Funders/Partners
This initiative is a partnership between Galway Traveller Movement and the Western Region Health Service Executive. The Training Programme is being significantly supported by FÁS, as a Local Training Initiative. The Project also receives support from County Galway VEC.
Contact Details:
Orla McCaffrey 0871308013