The Strategic Plan for Traveller Health in the South East Community Health Organisation Area, has been described as a plan which was developed by Travellers for Travellers – as individual members of that community and their representative organisations lead the process for developing this plan to improve the health of their community.

The HSE’s South East Traveller Health Unit has been developing and delivering services in partnership with community and men’s health projects, their host agencies in the voluntary sector and the South East Regional Traveller Health Network since the first Traveller Health project was established in 1999. The Plan reviews ongoing work in improving access to health services by the Traveller community in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. It also charts progress on increased awareness on health matters and services in that community, in addition to improved health for Travellers in the South East, lifestyle change, prevention and early detection.

In terms of aims over the next five years, the Strategic Plan identifies a focus on health promotion to raise awareness, advice and information on targeted health matters, referral to appropriate services and support to Travellers to take up health services. The HSE has focused this Plan on supporting and building on the work that has already taken place in respect of enhancing access for Travellers to health services and improving the overall health status of Travellers within the region.