In partnership with the Integrated Care System, the Pride in Practice scheme continues in mid and south Essex with 25 GP practices now fully trained and accredited.
15 of those were accredited during the pilot in 2020, with ten new practices across the ICS gaining accreditation through the partnership with the LGBT Foundation.
The gold standard requires (among other things) engaging in sexual orientation and trans status monitoring, ensuring policies are inclusive and actively protect members of the LGBTQ+ community and registration forms are LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Achieving the gold award also requires an ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion, demonstrated in the practice through visibility and education, as well as medical support.
The practices who have been accredited are as follows:
Gold
Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery
Church Lane Surgery, Braintree
Chelmer Medical Partnership
The Island Surgery, Canvey
Churchview Surgery, Rayleigh
Southend Medical Centre
Stifford Clays Medical Practice
Orsett Surgery
Silver
Dengie Medical Partnership
Pride in Practice’s work means more than 500 primary care professionals have received training, providing a wonderful opportunity to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and promote knowledge, awareness and change.
A patient from Southend said: “I get quite anxious about medical appointments but the nurse really put me at ease and was very kind and approachable. I also appreciated she was wearing rainbow badge and the waiting room had a whole section on the wall about LGBTQ+ people, which also made me feel more comfortable.”
Research shows one in seven LGBT people avoid seeking healthcare for fear of discrimination from staff and almost 25 percent have witnessed discriminatory or negative remarks.
Jenni Speller, Deputy Director for Primary Care Development said: “We are proud to be the first health and care system in eastern England to have commissioned Pride in Practice to offer free training to our GP practices on the inequalities faced by our LGBT communities.
“It’s been great to see such a large number of colleagues in local surgeries honouring their commitment to giving our LGBT residents the best standard of care.”
LGBT communities experience a range of health inequalities throughout their lives. Evidence shows they are more likely to face increased cancer risk factors compared to the general population due to higher rates of smoking, substance misuse, poorer diet and reduced access to sport and exercise. LGBT people are also more likely to experience poor mental health and may face higher rates of isolation and loneliness in later life.
A spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ Foundation said; “We are tremendously proud of all of our practices who have worked so hard to get accredited, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to champion LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Each award represents an ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, helping to improve patient confidence and raise standards in healthcare.
Mid and South Essex being the first East of England ICS to get awarded are blazing a trail, and we hope to see this wonderful example picked up by more ICSs while we continue our work here”.
