Olwyn Lidster Community Psychiatric Nurse Substance Misuse Services

1. Understanding Staff Perceptions of Gypsy and Traveller Communities, Enabling a Culturally Confident Workforce • Olwyn Lidster Community Psychiatric Nurse • Substance Misuse Services • Mary Seacole Development Awardee 2012

2. Whats the first 3 things that spring to mind when we say ‘Gypsies and travellers’? 2

3. BIG FAT GYPSY WEDDING

4. BARE KNUCKLE BOXING

5. SCRAP METAL COLLECTION BIG FAT GYPSY WEDDING

6. A lower life expectancy than the rest of society across all age ranges. Premature deaths being often associated with preventable conditions.

7. Infant mortality rates are reported as three times higher in these communities, with high rates of miscarriages and still births. High rates of maternal deaths during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth.

8. Three times more likely to be anxious, and just over twice as likely to be depressed as the general population. Substance misuse becoming more prevalent

9. The projects key findings

10. My challenge to you

11. Olwyn Lidster • Community Psychiatric Nurse • olwyn.lidster@bdct.nhs.uk