Access to Health for LGBTQIA+ Residents in Southend

Healthwatch Southend put together a survey that included questions about experiences of discrimination, negative attitudes and barriers to care. They followed this up with a Focus Group, inviting services users to have their say, with input from two experts in the field of Social Care provision and Maternity Services for the LGBTQIA+ communities.  They also asked services providers what progress they have made in addressing these issues and barriers to accessing care.

Key Findings

• Reluctance of patients to disclose sexuality or gender identification
• Several experiences of negative attitudes and discrimination
• Avoidance of seeking out treatment for a wide range of health problems
• Lower levels of patient satisfaction where Pride in Practice not yet embedded