Discovering and understanding under-served communities

People from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community

Individuals from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities encompass a diverse collection of communities each with their own social histories, identities and traditions. It is estimated that there are 2-300,000 people from these communities living in England and Wales.

Cultural groups

  • Romany gypsies form the largest group (originally descended from India).
  • Travellers of Irish heritage consider themselves to be the indigenous population of Ireland.
  • New travellers originated mainly from the settled British population to seek an 'alternative' way of life.

Travellers take a cultural pride in self-reliance. Some see illness as inevitable and medical treatment is seen as unlikely to make a difference. Negative attitudes towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are still widely held.

Gypsies, Roma and Travellers often lack trust in health professionals. So you and your team will need to spend some time understanding their community, building trust and rapport

  1. Allinson M and Chaar B (2016) How to build and maintain trust with patients The Pharmaceutical Journal 297 (7895) online | URI: 20201862
  2. Aspinall P (2014) Hidden needs: identifying key vulnerable groups in data collections: vulnerable migrants, gypsies and travellers, homeless people, and sex workers. Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent
  3. Commission for Racial Equality (2006) Common Ground: Equality, good race relations and sites for Gypsies and Irish Travellers
  4. Equality and Human Rights Commission (2016) Is England Fairer? The state of equality and human rights
Select which of the following statements are true or false?
Individuals from GRT communities die earlier and have poorer health status than the rest of the population (they are 2 to 5 times more likely to have health problems compared with other UK-residents, even when compared with other under-served groups).
Correct - It is true - Individuals from GRT communities die earlier and have poorer health status than the rest of the population (they are 2 to 5 times more likely to have health problems compared with other UK-residents, even when compared with other under-served groups).
Incorrect - It is true - Individuals from GRT communities die earlier and have poorer health status than the rest of the population (they are 2 to 5 times more likely to have health problems compared with other UK-residents, even when compared with other under-served groups).
Individuals from GRT communities are nearly three times more likely to be anxious than average and twice as likely to be depressed.
Correct - Individuals from GRT communities are nearly 3 times more likely to be anxious than average and twice as likely to be depressed.
Incorrect - Individuals from GRT communities are nearly 3 times more likely to be anxious than average and twice as likely to be depressed.
Individuals from GRT communities use fewer health services despite them demonstrating greater health needs.
Correct - Individuals from GRT communities use fewer health services despite them demonstrating greater health needs.
Incorrect - Individuals from GRT communities use fewer health services despite them demonstrating greater health needs.
Simple steps to offer MURs to the GRT community

Gypsies, Roma and Travellers often lack trust in health professionals. So you and your team will need to spend some time understanding their community, building trust and rapport. Bullet point, in no more than 200 characters, ways you can build trust with the GRT community

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