Merton LGBT workshop report
Download (PDF 279.09 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Merton organised an engagement event for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community. As a seldom heard part of Merton’s communities; it was felt that a one off event to establish links and hear issues about experiences of using health and social care services would be valuable to Healthwatch Merton.
The aim of the event was to capture some of the experiences of participants with the purpose of sharing the findings with the Merton Council, Merton CCG and any NHS Trusts mentioned in the workshop.
The group identified and agreed a series of improvements they felt would make a big difference in patient/service user experience locally. (1) Improve NHS Services for HIV positive people with physical health problems. The mainstreaming of HIV services was seen to have led to HIV+ people seeing a reduction in the quality of their care and treatment. (2) LGBT Awareness Training for staff in health and social care. (3) Better policies around next of kin questions in both health and social care. (4) An improved support offer for LGBT young people in Merton and how we support them.
The report contains 5 recommendations in relation to support, provision, training and promotion.