09.01.17
GM contract promotes healthcare for LGBT community
LGBT patients in Greater Manchester will be able to access appropriate primary healthcare following a new contract offered by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSC).
GMHSC has awarded a three-year contract to local charity the LGBT Foundation to carry out Pride in Practice, a quality assurance support service which supports GPs, doctors, optometrists and pharmacists to strengthen their relationships with the LGBT community.
Manchester has one of the largest LGBT communities in the UK, and it is hugely encouraging that it is using its newly devolved health and social care powers to address the specific problems facing this group.
These include higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse among LGBT people, supporting trans people seeking to transition, and helping same-sex couples adopt children.
Laurence Webb, Pride in Practice Manager at the LGBT Foundation, who has previously written for NHE, said: “One in five lesbian, gay and bisexual patients report that their sexual orientation is a factor in them delaying accessing health services and half of trans patients feel unable to be who they are when talking to a health professional.
“By accessing this free accreditation award programme in Greater Manchester primary care practices can provide an equal service that meets the specific needs of LGBT people.”
Dr Luke Wookey, GP at Fairfax Group Practice, said the existing Pride in Practice programme had been “a great support and educational network” for doctors, healthcare staff and patients.
Jon Rouse, chief officer at GMHSC, added that the partnership was “looking forward” to the results of the new programme.
(Image c. LGBT Foundation)
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