Oxford Health supports Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Oxford Health is celebrating the traditions of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and looking to break down the barriers the community often faces when trying to access healthcare this June.

The Romani flag has been flying from Oxford Health’s main buildings to mark Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month.

The flag is at the trust's headquarters, Littlemore Mental Health Centre, The Slade in Oxford, and Whiteleaf Centre in Aylesbury.

The Romani flag at Oxford Health's headquarters (Image: Oxford Health)

Composed of a blue and green background that represents the heavens and earth, it also bears a 16-spoke cartwheel which is a homage to the flag of India and the heritage of the Romani people.

Oxford Health staff are set to observe history month with a special online event aiming to improve understanding, tackle misconceptions, and overcome the barriers faced by the Traveller community when they attempt to access healthcare.

Mo Patel, head of inclusion at Oxford Health, said: "Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people do not always experience the same access and standard of healthcare as people in the settled community, and as a result experience poorer health outcomes as children, adults and older people.

"Their life expectancy is reduced by 10 to 12 years as a result."

School nurse Jane Saxton lived alongside nomadic and settled travellers while growing up and is of Scottish and Irish Traveller heritage.

She said: "I don’t recognise the negative comments made in the media and public perception. This is not my experience.

“I worked in HIV medicine in the 1990s, when discrimination towards patients and staff was commonplace. The importance of community and challenging discrimination is innate to me."

The Romani flag at Whiteleaf Centre in Aylesbury (Image: Oxford Health)

She has experienced challenges when seeking healthcare, which affected her physical health.

She continued: "When I relocated to Oxford in 2019, I was denied GP care and told I had insufficient paperwork to register at several practices, despite needing health care at that immediate time.

"Eventually, I sought care in A&E. The care they provided was a sticking plaster. It was not the appropriate place for me to be.

“While I am now registered with a GP practice who has a proactive policy of registering patients, the unnecessary delays I experienced did have a negative impact on my physical health.”

Such discrimination is why Ms Saxton's great grandmother hid her Traveller ancestry when she married into a settled family.

It also makes it harder for poorly or vulnerable people to reach out to healthcare professionals for help with they need it.

Ms Saxton added: “The message I would like to share with everyone is, ‘Please see the person first'.”