GYPSY representatives attended an NHS East Lancashire board meeting to talk about their experience of healthcare.

Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) community members were invited to Walshaw House, in Nelson, as part of the primary care trust’s ‘patient story’ programme.

It allows health chiefs to listen to patients’ experiences and identify positive aspects of healthcare, good practice and areas of improvement in East Lancashire.

Board members were shown a short video about the lives of the community and the problems they face.

Two GRT women told the directors that they felt they struggled to access healthcare, due to a lack of understanding of their culture by NHS staff.

A spokesman for NHS East Lancashire said the feedback was taken ‘very seriously’ by the board.

They agreed to look into improving training and awareness for staff working with the GRT community.