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'Ask about sexual orientation to improve LGBT inequalities'

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All NHS providers must ask patients about their sexual orientation to improve the "deep inequalities" in care for LGBT people, says an MPs' report.

The Women and Equalities committee says hospitals and care homes should be fined if they don't collect the data.

LGBT people are often less healthy than the wider population, but receive lower levels of care.

NHS England said all patients received the physical and mental health care they needed.

Since 2017, NHS guidelines have recommended that GPs and nurses ask about a person's sexual orientation when they see them face to face, but few seem to be doing so, the committee said.

That is why MPs now want it to become mandatory, in line with asking people about their ethnicity.

Without knowing how many LGBT people are using health services in different areas, MPs questioned how local health groups could plan for their needs.

What health issues affect LGBT people?

  • higher rates of smoking
  • higher levels of alcohol consumption
  • gay and bisexual men more likely to have anal cancer
  • bisexual women more likely to have cervical cancer
  • higher rates of suicide attempts in gay and bisexual men
  • self-harm more likely in young trans people
  • higher risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease in lesbian and bisexual women

The committee based its report on evidence given by community groups, local authorities, public service providers and LGBT people.

This highlighted the range of health disparities faced by LGBT people, and the need for more training for staff to better understand their needs.

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The report said: "Health and social care professionals do not always understand the needs that LGBT people have, and often do not consider these needs to be relevant to their care."

They are normally expected to fit into systems that assume they are straight and not transgender, but treating them in the same way as other people doesn't work, it said.

There is a lack of research into health and social care issues faced by LGBT people and, as a result, sexual health ended up being the main priority when they came into contact with the NHS.

Maria Miller MP, chair of the committee, said there was a lot of goodwill in health and social care services to make them inclusive - but there were big issues too.

"Unfortunately, the best will in the world won't change the systemic failings in areas such as data collection and training that are leading to poorer experience when accessing services, and to poorer health outcomes for LGBT people.

"This can never be acceptable."

'More inclusive'

The report also recommends that:

  • Public Health England should work with the National LGB&T Partnership on a five-year plan of health campaigns directed at LGBT people
  • the role of the national LGBT health adviser should be prioritised and confirmed for the next three years
  • medical schools should make sure LGBT content is in every curriculum
  • case studies featuring LGBT people should be included in courses in a way that does not play into stereotypes

Dr Joanna Semlyen, an LGBT health expert from UEA's Norwich Medical School, has found higher levels of smoking, hazardous alcohol use, common mental disorders and unhealthy BMI (body mass index) in the LGBT population in the UK.

She said: "These health disparities need to be addressed through not only the development of interventions that are sensitive to the needs of this population, but also the development of more inclusive mainstream services".

An NHS England spokesman said: "The NHS is there for everyone, where people are respected and all patients receive the excellent physical and mental health care they need."