Current comment. (xxii) Traveller-Gypsies and general practitioners in East London: the role of the Traveller health visitor

Abstract

Traveller-Gypsy communities in the United Kingdom (UK) have higher morbidity and mortality levels than the national average and their members have only limited access to primary and preventative health care services in most areas. Results of a questionnaire survey of general practitioners (GPs) in East London support previous evidence that the appointment of specially trained health visitors could help improve levels of understanding between GPs and Traveller families and so help Travellers make more effective use of conventional local primary care networks. The relevance of this specific example for other minority populations is evident.