Unhealthy Attitudes : The treatment of LGBT people within health and social care services

C. Somerville

Stonewall commissioned YouGov Plc. to carry out an in-depth survey looking into LGBT issues in health and social care settings. A representative sample of 3,001 health and social care staff have been asked about their experiences of issues relating to LGBT healthcare and employment. Respondents came from a range of professional backgrounds, including doctors, nurses, counsellors, carers and senior managers. The report highlights that whilst the majority of health and social care staff want to deliver the best possible service to LGBT people, LGBT bullying and discrimination are often left unchallenged, and there is too little understanding of LGBT health concerns across vital health and social care services. It also found that LGBT staff face discrimination and abusive behaviour from both colleagues and patients. This report reflects the attitudes towards and treatment of LGBT people within health and social care services as a whole, and therefore does not address specific concerns around the treatment of trans people in gender identity clinics and mental health services.