I'm very proud to work in the NHS (this crossing is outside the main entrance to the hospital), and I'm proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ staff network at the hospital I work in. However, we have work to do to demonstrate that the NHS is supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
People in the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to suffer from mental health issues, impacted by things such as bullying or hate crime. Many people are scared of going to the NHS for help for fear of discrimination. Also, for transgender people the road to transitioning is often long, especially at a young age, so may be put off going to the NHS for fear of being denied transitioning medication, or having to go to a mental health assessment. In the 2017 national LGBT+ survey, it was reported that 80% of transgender respondents who accessed or tried to access gender identity clinics said it was not easy, with long waiting times the most common barrier. The NHS is committed to making things better for the LGBT+ community with regards to accessing healthcare. You can read the action plan and find more information here.
The NHS really is for everyone, so what can we do every day to make things better?
💙 Respect pronouns, never assume someone's pronouns or gender identity
💙 Have your pronouns in your email signature, introduce yourself with them in meetings, and have them in your social media bio
💙 Ensure that you know where to access information, such as how to change pronouns in medical records, so you can more easily signpost to those with questions
💙 Attend training that your workplace offers, take part in events like LGBT+ history month, and have a look online for resources you can use to help increase understanding
💙 Always take LGBTQ+ discrimination seriously
💙 Avoid making assumptions about people’s sexual orientation or gender identity - use gender neutral terms such as "partner"
💙 Speak up about LGBTQ+ issues with family, friends and the public
The NHS is a safe space for everyone 🏳️🌈💙