Decision details

The BCF is a programme spanning both the NHS and local government. Its aim is to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society by placing them at the centre of their care and support and providing them with ‘wrap around’ fully integrated health and social care, resulting in an improved experience and better quality of life.

The council carried out a Black and Minority Ethnic Health Needs Assessment that people from Gypsy and Traveller communities face access issues in Doncaster with regards to primary care and dentistry services in particular. The GT Link Worker will facilitate more accessible health and wellbeing services for members of Doncaster’s GT communities with a package of measures designed to contribute to a significant reduction in non-elective hospital admissions.

Following the recommendation from Joint Commissioning Operational Group, approved by Joint Commissioning Management Board on 29 October 2020, this decision is to agree to provide Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group with a total of £87,862 over a two year period to enable them to directly employ a Gypsy Traveller Link Worker. Funding would be due to commence from 1 April 2021, from the Non Recurrent BCF Earmarked Reserve allocated to the Place Plan.

Option 1 - Do Nothing: Doing nothing could result in failure to meet our duties under the Equalities Act and reach out to the most marginalised in our society. (Not recommended)

Option 2 - Approve a total amount of £87,862 to enable an official link with the GT community via the GT Link Worker Post. This post will aim to educate the GT population on issues around Public Health, access to social care services and lessen the stigma of professionals within the community. As well as this, the Link Worker would have the ability to refer individuals from the community to relevant statutory services which may benefit members of the community. The Link Worker could also act in a capacity, either through workshops or drop in sessions to educate front line staff on how to engage with the GT population. Having a Link Worker, to provide information and communicate with both the Council and Healthcare Services would provide an operational mode of directly bridging the gap between Health/ Social Care professionals and the GT community which would feed in to the wider localities agenda. (Recommended)