We know that many LGBT people worry about accessing services for fear of experiencing discrimination or even hostility on the grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity or trans status.
Our Pride in Practice programme works with GP practices, dental surgeries, pharmacies and optometrists to ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people have access to inclusive healthcare that understands and meets the needs of our communities.
To facilitate this work, LGBT Foundation would like to hear from you. We want to know:
- How does your GP practice treat their LGBT patients?
- Why is it important that my dentist knows my sexual orientation/trans status?
- What can optometrists tell us about our wider health?
- How can we get the best service from our pharmacy services?
Some of the feedback we’ve already received includes:
“I visited my GP last week and LGBT posters on the notice board made it easier for me to discuss my feelings” – Lesbian woman, Bolton
“I’ve received good care as a transgender woman from the GP practice, without feeling patronised” Trans woman, Bury
“The more I discuss my sexual orientation the more I realise it is helpful not just to me, but to the health professional too.” Gay man, Oldham
“My pharmacist was very supportive and gave me information on social and support groups” Bisexual woman, Manchester
“At my surgery, feedback from the Pride in Practice training was that they found it very interesting” Trans man, Rochdale
“My dentist treats me like any other patient, they are helping me smile – the first time I’ve been able to in years.” HIV+ gay man, Salford.
“I discuss my partner with the GP, they are very non-judgemental. We’re two old ladies but they’ve never been surprised by us.” Lesbian patients, Stockport
“My GP helped me accept my sexuality” Gay Asian man, Tameside
“My GP is brilliant. I have had nothing but positive experiences with them.” Trans Patient, Trafford
“My GP was great when I came out to her – she made me feel like I had nothing to feel ashamed about.” LGBT patient, Wigan
Resources
‘10 Stories from 10 Boroughs - a celebration of Pride in Practice throughout Greater Manchester’
10 stories aims to illustrate that by improving awareness, visibility, knowledge and information of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) patients’ experiences we can strengthen and develop primary care services’ relationships with their LGBT patients within the local community. As part of 10 Stories, we celebrate each borough of Greater Manchester and highlight some of the actions that have been taken to increase patients’ trust and confidence when accessing healthcare.
To read the stories, click here.
'10 Professionals from 10 Boroughs - Celebrating Primary Care Providers Commitment to LGBT Patients in Greater Manchester’
This book is a showcase of some of the ways in which primary care services are strengthening and developing relationships with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) patients within their local communities. Throughout this book, we will highlight how service providers have become more confident in supporting their LGBT patients in primary care and share the experiences of health professionals from General Practice, Dentistry, Optometry and Pharmacy throughout Greater Manchester
To read the stories, click here
