The health needs of the Slovak Roma community in Sheffield

Since Slovakia joined the European Union in 2004, Sheffield has seen a steady increase in the arrival of migrant workers and their families to the city. Most of these families are from a Roma background, marginalised within Eastern Europe and the subjects of recognised health inequalities in their country of origin. As newcomers to the UK, they have had no previous experience of the health visiting service or primary care provision. The impact of their migration on health services has been significant. As a vulnerable group, they consume a disproportionate amount of universal services. An understanding of their background and of their socioeconomic position in the UK is essential in determining their health needs. Attempts to address these effectively require good communication with both the public and voluntary sectors and the involvement of the community itself.