Merton Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) Report

Summary

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. 

Key Findings 

The report identified a series of improvements that could make a big difference in patient/service user experience locally. These are:

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.

Recommendations

As a result of the engagement event, HWM is making a number of recommendations. These are:

1. The LGBT Forum for Merton is restarted and the offer of time on a voluntary basis by some members of this group be used to reinvigorate its leadership.
2. The Sutton LGBT Youth Group is engaged to see how Merton’s young people could be supported through a cross borough provision.
3. Health Education South London commission LGBT awareness training for GPs and frontline health and social care staff.
4. NHS Trusts in the area review how they deal with next of kin questions when patients present, so as not to marginalise LBGT communities.
5. The local voluntary sector is used as a vehicle to reach out to adults with health promotion messaging for adults.