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<p>National Health Service datasets do not enable comparisons to be made between the
mental and physical health of the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities with that
of the rest of the population. These datasets – such as the Mental Health and Learning
Disabilities dataset – use the nationally mandated ethnicity categories from the NHS
data dictionary, based on the 2001 census groups. These groups did not include Gypsy,
Traveller and Roma communities. The 2011 census included a new ethnic category group
for Gypsy or Irish Traveller.</p><p> </p><p>The National Inclusion Health Board’s
report, <em>Hidden Needs: identifying vulnerable groups in data collections: vulnerable
migrants, gypsies and travellers, homeless people and sex workers </em>published in
March 2014 recommended the adoption of the 2011 census ethnic classification by the
NHS data dictionary. The Department, the NHS, Public Health England, and the Health
and Social Care Information Centre are considering how this recommendation could be
implemented whilst ensuring data consistency.</p><p> </p>
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