The project, aims to utilise the skills and knowledge of healthcare that TCCA has developed since 1976 and use thesehelp Turkish/Kurdish population to be actively engaged in programs that help with self-management of health conditions and empower members of the community to better understand and control access that health care In Haringey. Our proposal incorporates a number of varying engagement activities that we feel would work exceptionally well with Turkish / Kurdish community who do not fully understand the most effective way to utilise healthcare that best meets their health needs.

Background

Haringey is an exceptionally diverse and fast-changing borough. We have a population of 263,386 according to the 2013 Office for National Statistics Mid-Year Estimates and our practices have a registered population of 274,837. Almost two-thirds of our population, and over 70% of our young people, are from ethnic minority backgrounds, and our population is the fifth most ethnically diverse in the country. There are approximately 190 languages spoken by pupils in Haringey schools. The most common languages spoken (other than English) are Turkish, Somali, Akan, French, Polish and Bengali.

It was felt that there is a need to identify and work with cultural values that either motivate or inhibit behavioural change.  In addition, identifying and working with patients’ underlying health-related beliefs, values and attitudes, to either motivate or discourage certain forms of health-related behaviour.

In Haringey, we wanted to help people to understand the range of different health services available and when to use them, as well as supporting them to feel confident to self-manage their conditions or illnesses, where appropriate. Haringey has very diverse population, including a large number of Turkish residents, with the majority being resident in the east of Haringey.

Anecdotal feedback from local GPs and practice managers suggests that they feel that their Turkish/Kurdish patients are relatively frequent A&E attendees, occasionally with conditions that could perhaps be better managed or treated elsewhere. Therefore CCG wanted to pilot an expert community programme which engaged with this community, training champions who could support the community to strengthen their knowledge of the services available and supporting them to choose the right service at the right time and further support local people to make better choices in relation to their health, particularly those with long term conditions.  The programme also helps support ongoing engagement with local self-management programmes.