Exploring LGBTQ+ experiences of health and care services in Redbridge

Healthwatch Redbridge provided a grant to Redbridge Rainbow Community to undertake research into the health and social care needs of the local LGBTQ+ community.

 This research project included desk research, interviews with LGBTQ+ people and a survey of health and social care professionals. 

LGBTQ+ specific issues highlighted by the research included challenges around sharing LGBTQ+ identities, mixed visibility and clarity around LGBTQ+ inclusion, assumptions and misconceptions, apparent variability in levels of training, awareness or comfort, as well as some specific gaps in services for LGBTQ+ people and concerns about whether care services are future-proofed for LGBTQ+ inclusion. 

In terms of more general experiences, research participants shared positive experiences of health and care services. However, they also identified a range of issues including lack of information sharing across different services, getting appointments, failure to listen to women’s health needs, delays and inefficiencies within local wheelchair services, inconsistency in providing prescriptions and delays in care in hospital including around eating and personal care. 

The self-selecting survey indicated relatively high levels of confidence among health and care staff in working with LGBTQ+ people, but there were some specific areas where responses indicate the need for greater support, including working with asexual and trans, gender-fluid and non-binary people, as well as how to avoid and deal with any unintended mistakes or offence. Respondents supported a wide range of activities to support LGBTQ+ inclusion, as well as increased leadership or energy in some cases. 

Ultimately LGBTQ+ people want the same from the health and care system as anyone else: for their needs to be clearly understood and responded to in a way that fosters good outcomes and maintains equity, dignity and respect. 

There are recommendations at the end of this report.