At the same time Travellers need to become aware of their own responsibility for their health and the preventative measures available to them to ensure good health. The developments and approaches outlined above are positive but the Committee feels that if Travellers are to achieve equality with the rest of the population in the field of health there are still areas where improvements are necessary. Creation of local forums in each Health Board area should be encouraged, allowing health professionals and other agencies with a responsibility for Travellers, to disseminate information. These should initiate health needs assessments and co-ordinate responses to health needs for the Traveller community within their Health Board area. While the position may be simpler for Travellers who are settled on a long-term basis on a local authority or privately owned site, there is evidence that frequent change of address associated with a more mobile way of life has led to a lack of easy access to GP and other health services.
Consequently Travellers can miss out on the full range of positive health services.
There is also anecdotal evidence that some GPs are reluctant, or even refuse, to make home visits to Traveller sites and, in particular, to roadside families. As a result Travellers have traditionally relied on accident and emergency departments for their more pressing needs and therefore lack any continuity in their medical and health care. Registration with a primary care practitioner at the Travellers most frequent place of residence should be encouraged. Travellers should be encouraged to take up 'visitors' rights' of access to a GP while travelling. Traveller children miss out on the regular school health screenings, dental checks and immunisation programmes.