PEOPLE who do not identify as heterosexual do not have a consistent healthcare service, with many having negative experiences, a survey has revealed.  

Healthwatch Darlington carried out the survey among the LGBT+ community to provide a snapshot of people’s experiences of health and care services in the town.

It found whether people’s experiences were positive or negative often depended on the individuals encountered and recommended training of healthcare professional to help them provide a more empathetic service.

A total of 78 people took part in the survey, which was supported by counselling and support service Arcus to design it and distribute it to members of the community.

Read more: Darlington man gets people walking and talking about mental health 

Andi Cull, managing director of Arcus, said: “It is a mixed blessing reading the report as it provides qualitative substance to the issues that we have had anecdotally raised to us, but it is a pitiful shame that these issues exist in the first place.

“We recognise that there are some participants who felt comfortable going to their GP for support but find it worrying that some would not. The simple answer to this, perhaps, is training and education.”

The Healthwatch report also found in specific areas like HIV testing and maternity services more could be done to make them more accessible and encourage greater participation from those who need care.

Negative experiences people had included having pronouns misused or misgendering, feeling judged and assumptions being made.

Just over a third of people had a positive response when asked if they felt their identity had been respected and understood.

Some people also said they were unable to ask questions on certain topics, including safe sex, contraception, sexual health in LGBT relations, options for non-binary people, having children and body or gender dysphoria.

About half of those who responded said their identity affected their access to health care.

One person said: "It is a barrier for me accessing healthcare. I have to be really ill or in significant need to have to engage with health services in Darlington. I do not believe they understand or promote their services as LGBT inclusive at all.

“As a gay woman I am not asked about my reproductive health or my sexual health. It is always dismissed.”

The survey found 75 per cent of those asked would first turn to a family member or friend when ill or in pain, while 10 per cent would go to their GP or a medical professional. The remaining people would turn to Google.

One person said: “Some have been respectful and understanding (or are willing to learn /open about their lack of knowledge). Some have been less so.”

Responding to the survey, Pips Scrafton, a volunteer organiser of Darlington Pride Weekender who works for the charity Stonewall, said: “We have been talking about this for many years. When you find a GP who is LGBT friendly that’s brilliant and people tend to stay with them.

“As someone within the trans community I have been with the same GP since I transitioned more than 20 years ago. I find from conversations I’ve had with people in the community there’s a tendency where someone has an uncomfortable experience that tends to make people reluctant to go and seek help.”

She added: “It’s about ensuring dignity and respect and making sure individuals are supported. It only takes one bad experience.”

Healthwatch made three recommendations; for healthcare providers to consider training programmes to promote inclusivity; to promote greater awareness of HIV testing; and to plan changes to maternity services to ensure more use of inclusive language to those within the LGBT+ community.

Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was contacted for comment. A spokesperson said it had received the report and would discuss it at a meeting. Following this, a response will be made acknowledging the findings and discussing what it intends to do to address them. 

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