How we are supporting patients from the LGBTQ+ community

How we are supporting patients from the LGBTQ+ community image

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We recognise that our patients from the LGBTQ+ community sometimes have different health needs from other parts of the community.

LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and “plus,” which represents other sexual and gender identities.

We want to ensure that all our hospitals are welcoming and safe places for our LGBTQ+ patients, as we are committed to providing non-judgemental and inclusive care for all, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity.

NHS Rainbow Badge project

The NHS Rainbow Badge project was created so NHS staff could demonstrate they’re aware of the issues that LGBTQ+ people can face when accessing healthcare. We believe it is important to take positive action and this is why we have signed up to take part in the next phase of the NHS Rainbow Badge project.

The latest phase of the project has moved towards an assessment model to allow NHS Trusts to demonstrate their commitment to reducing barriers for LGBTQ+ people and we will be working towards this with the aim of making meaningful change.

The NHS LGBTQ plus rainbow bade

#CallMe

We encourage all our staff to have a #CallMe conversation with their patients. The introduction of #CallMe is very simple, but it’s really important.

We hope that it will give comfort and reassurance to patients that we respect their identity by addressing them with their preferred name and not assuming that they are most comfortable using their formal birth forename.

​Pronouns

Pronouns are the words we use to refer to people’s gender in conversation – for example, ‘he’ or ‘she’. Some people may prefer others to refer to them in gender-neutral language and use pronouns such as they/their.

Similarly to #CallMe (see above), we want to encourage all our patients to feel confident to be able to tell us the pronouns that they would like us to use during their time in our care.

Ward allocation

To support our transgender patients, we’ve updated our policies to allow patients to be allocated to a ward area based on their gender identity. (A person’s innate sense of their own gender, whether male, female or something else, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth).

Hormone Treatment

If you are admitted to hospital and currently on hormone therapy, then please ask to speak to your ward pharmacist. They will ensure that you continue to receive your treatment unless contraindicated.

What do to if you feel you’ve been discriminated against

We have a zero-tolerance approach towards bullying, harassment, discrimination, violence, or aggression of any kind towards any of our staff, patients or visitors across all of our sites and services.

If you have experienced discrimination because of your sexual orientation or gender identity then please report your experience by:

Share your views

If you have any ways in which you think inclusivity could be improved in our hospitals, then please get in touch with our LGBTQ+ Network Chair, Dr. Luke Simonds via: wah-tr.lgbtqplusnetwork@nhs.net 

Information links and external resources:

  • Stonewall – a charity standing for LGBTQ+ rights with campaigns to drive positive change. Plus, lots of useful resources.
  • Albert Kennedy Trust – a charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 who are facing or experiencing homelessness.
  • Mermaids – a charity that supports gender variant and transgender youth, and provides inclusion and diversity training.
  • Birmingham LGBT charity – a charity providing support locally to the LGBTQ+ community. Including sexual health services, wellbeing support, counselling, and advice on domestic violence.
  • Out2gether – a Worcestershire-based community group for LGBTQ+ adults living in and around Worcestershire. The group offers opportunities to connect with other local LGBTQ+ people.
  • LGBT Switchboard – a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health, and emotional wellbeing.
  • LGBT Foundation – advice, support, and information services to the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Gendered Intelligence – a charity that works to increase understanding of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people.
  • Opening Doors – a charity that provides activities, events, information, and support for LGBTQ+ people over 50.