Providing safe and inclusive services for LGBTIQA+ people

Providing safe and inclusive services

throughout COVID-19 and beyond

Data has indicated that some people are at greater risk of more serious illness with COVID-19. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, and many others such as non-binary and pansexual (LGBTIQA+) communities are known to have health disparities that might influence disease outcomes.

COVID-19 is understandably causing stress and uncertainty throughout all of our communities and workplaces. Studies indicate that due to experiences of inequality and devaluing of their identities and relationships, including experiences of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia many LGBTIQA+ communities experience poorer mental health and higher rates of suicide and self-harm, and could be at greater risk of experiencing anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation. These risks are significantly elevated due to COVID-19, and accessing available health support services is more important than ever for LGBTIQA+ communities. Barriers to accessing services – for example, expecting or experiencing discrimination – may be heightened at times of stress and upheaval.

LGBTIQA+ inclusivity within the RACGP Standards 5th edition

Guidance for ensuring respectful and culturally appropriate care and managing potential risks is referenced throughout the RACGP Standards 5th edition. The Criterion and Indicators that may be useful to your practice to assist you in this include:

• Indicator C2.1 A Our practice, in • Criterion GP5.1 – Practice facilities, and providing patient healthcare, considers Indicator GP5.1 C Our consultation patients’ rights, beliefs, and their religious spaces permit patient privacy and and cultural backgrounds. This can include confidentiality. As not everyone lives with developing and maintaining ways to ensure people who know about their gender, care that is safe, welcoming and sexuality or intersex variation, or what appropriate for LGBTIQA+ clients and services they are accessing. considering what specific needs LGBTIQA+ • Criterion C7.1 – Content of patient health people might have. records, outlines issues with patient • Criterion GP2.3 – Engaging with other data collection for the LGBTIQA+ patient services. This may involve developing demographic. Page 80 of the Standards referral networks and working cooperatively outlines ways to improve the accuracy of with LGBTIQA+ specialist healthcare responses when collecting information providers and services, as well as from patients. reaching out to these organisations for secondary consultation. Looking for formal recognition of a commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusivity? Find out more about Rainbow Tick To assist you and your team in meeting these indicators accreditation and to provide safe and inclusive services to LGBTIQA+ http://bit.ly/QN20_RT people – Rainbow Health Victoria has shared some key tips to provide safe and inclusive services and workplaces. Services can include the above listed Criterion commitment to providing the best possible service to our individual

Resource

Download Rainbow Health Victoria’s tip sheet from your AGPAL accreditation hub by heading to your Education & Resource Library and searching ‘LGBTIQA’ or visit http://bit.ly/QN20_RTTips

While these tips are specific to the LGBTIQA+ community, they can be used in a broader spectrum to ensure your diverse range of patients to feel safe. If your organisation is serious about demonstrating a commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusion, consider Rainbow Tick accreditation.

Rainbow Tick is a world first quality framework to help organisations show that they are safe, inclusive and affirming services and employers for and Indicators as part of their accreditation or can apply to do the Rainbow Tick as a stand-alone assessment subject to ongoing reassessment and quality improvement.

“Working towards and receiving the

Rainbow Tick reinforced our team's the LGBTIQA+ community.

consumers and our dedication to being a welcoming culture to all. It is valued and embraced by our staff and consumers and attracts consumers and staff with similar values.” – Sue Jones, The Melbourne Clinic (Rainbow Tick Accredited Organisation) Reference

Carman M, Bourne A, Fairchild J. (2020). COVID-19: impacts for LGBTIQ communities and implications for services: A Research Briefing Paper by Rainbow Health Victoria. Retrieved 18 August 2020 from: http://bit.ly/QN20_LGBTI.