Research consultancy services

Department of Health & Children

Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority: Tender for the Conduct of Travellers' All Ireland Health Study. Introduction Background Irish Travellers are an indigenous minority who have been part of Irish society for centuries. They have a value system, language, customs and traditions that make them an identifiable group both to themselves and to others. Their distinctive lifestyle and culture, based on a nomadic tradition, sets them apart from settled people. Their experience of low social status, exclusion and prejudice gives rise to discrimination that affects all aspects of their lives. Research into Traveller Health The most commonly cited studies into Traveller Health are two which were carried out on this island in 1987 and 1993. The Travellers' Health Status Study 1987, commissioned by the Health Research Board in the Republic of Ireland, gave rise to considerable concern about the health status of the Traveller community. The study covered the whole of the Republic of Ireland, and focused primarily on mortality, birth, and early childhood outcomes. It found that Travellers of all ages have very high mortality rates compared to that of the settled population: Traveller men live on average 10 years less than settled men Traveller women live on average 12 years less than settled women (Barry et al (1986, 1988, 1989)) The first piece of research commissioned by a statutory agency on the state of Traveller health in Northern Ireland was commissioned in 1993 and covered the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area (Ginnety (1993)). It offered a different approach to the Health Research Board's study in the Republic; putting Traveller health in the context of the historical/contemporary racism and discrimination they experienced. It highlighted the danger of imposing a value system in which natural remedies and cures were ignored. Although there has been local research into Traveller health on the island, few studies allow for population level analysis. Many are either quite small, focus on local issues related to service provision, or have restricted representation. While no studies as comprehensive as those outlined above have been conducted since, it is evident that the gap between the health status of Travellers and settled people is not narrowing. The age pyramid for the Traveller community continues to include a lower proportion of older people (Central Statistics Office (CSO) (2004)) and the prevalence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is still much more common in the Traveller community than it is in the settled community (Irish Sudden Infant Death Association (1999). Rationale for the Study In 1999 a New Targeting Social Needs policy initiative in Northern Ireland contained a specific theme of Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI), and a PSI Working Group on Travellers was created. In 2000 an initial PSI report was published with some 33 recommendations for action (OFM/DFM (2000)). The Executive in Northern Ireland then produced a response to the PSI Working Group on Travellers which contained a number of recommendations aimed at improving the health and well-being of Travellers (OFM/DFM (2003)). The National Anti Poverty Strategy in the Republic, published in 2001, recognised the very much poorer health of Travellers, and included explicit health status targets for Travellers (Working Group on National Anti-Poverty Strategy and Health (2001). Traveller Health A National Strategy 2002-2005, the national Traveller health strategy in the Republic, includes a commitment to carry out a Traveller Needs Assessment and Health Status Study to update and extend the indicators used in the last survey of Travellers' Health Status and to inform appropriate actions required in the area of Travellers' health (Department of Health and Children (DoHC) (2002)). Following the publication of the Strategy, a Traveller Ethics, Research and Information Working Group whose remit included the coordination and monitoring of the study during the Strategy's term (2002-2005) was established. The two departments of health were very keen to undertake an All-Ireland study and saw it as a useful tool for developing future policy. In 2003 the Travellers' All-Ireland Health Study Group was established to oversee the first All-Ireland study of Travellers' health. With funding from the two departments of health, they contracted the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) to help the study group design the study. Consultations to design the study In designing the Study, the IPH undertook a consultative process and produced a template for the study proposal. The Institute first conducted a written consultation, comprising a questionnaire sent to over 100 key stakeholders on the island, to identify the broad dimensions of the study. On the basis of the responses received, a discussion paper was distributed to over 350 individuals and organisations. The IPH then conducted nine regional consultations involving Travellers/Traveller organisations and health and social service providers across the island. Approximately 400-500 people attended these regional consultations. A draft study design was then circulated, and discussed at an All-Ireland Feedback Event that was held in December 2003. The event was attended by over sixty people including representatives from the nine regions. This Request for Tender is based on the agreements reached at the regional consultations and the All-Ireland Feedback seminar. The reports of the regional consultative process are available electronically from mary_o'reilly@health.irlgov.ie. National Action Plan Against Racism The successful contractor(s) will undertake the conduct of the Study with reference to the provisions in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reforms document The National Action Plan Against Racism 2005 2008 Copies of this Action Plan are available from Equal Status Division, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Bishop's Square, Redmond's Hill, Dublin 2, Ireland. Principles and aims Study principles During the consultations a number of principles that should guide all stages of the study were proposed. Taking account of these proposals, it is considered that the Study should be based on: Key local, regional and national Traveller policies, strategies and programmes. A holistic model of health and a broad view of the factors that affect and impact on Travellers' health. These factors include education, accommodation, the experience of discrimination and racism, the health and social services, and lifestyles. Principles of equality, human rights, social inclusion, community development, anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-discriminatory and anti-poverty values. Respect for Traveller values, beliefs and perceptions as well as other parts of Traveller culture including nomadism. Training to ensure that Travellers and Traveller organisations can participate fully in all stages of the study. Support (resources and other support) to ensure participation of relevant health and social services providers in all relevant stages of the study. Confidentiality for all participants, with proper procedures that adhere to data protection legislation and established frameworks for research ethics. Appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods to collect, analyse and interpret data. A view to ongoing international research with ethnic minorities. The successful contractor(s) will develop standard research tools incorporated into which will be a Code of Practice for the conduct of the Study, also developed by the contractor(s). Research training will be provided to designated peer researchers by Pavee Point Travellers' Centre in liaison with the contractor(s). Ethical approval for all materials developed by the contractor(s) in respect of the Study must be sought from the Traveller Ethics Working Group in the Republic and an appropriate committee in Northern Ireland. On receipt of ethical approval the contractor(s) will give an undertaking to the contracting agency that strict adherence to the Code of Practice will be maintained during the conduct of the Study. Further information and additional documentation relating to this notice may be available on the eTenders Web Site at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=22303. The awarding authority has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via a Tender Submission Postbox' facility. Further details of this facility are available at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/PostBox/Postbox_Explain.aspx?ID=22303.

The time limit for receipt of tenders was 2006-02-17. The procurement was published on 2005-12-08.

• • Department of Health & Children

• • Research and development consultancy services › Research consultancy services

• • Éire/Ireland