NHS England launches its first national review to address LGBT+ health inequalities, focusing on care access, mental health, screening, and patient experience
NHS England has announced a ground-breaking review into the health inequalities faced by LGBT+ people – the first initiative of its kind at a national level. The review will investigate barriers to accessing services such as mental health support, cancer screening, and primary care, to shape a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
Supporting the NHS in understanding the health needs of LGBT+ communities
The review aims to improve the NHS’s understanding of how the entire workforce can better meet the needs of LGBT+ people, including understanding barriers to accessing healthcare and the impact of LGBT+ health inequalities on outcomes and patient safety.
The six-month review will examine data and evidence from a range of research and clinical settings, including mental health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV, perinatal care, primary care and cancer screening, as well as smoking, alcohol and drug prevention services.
The findings will build upon existing evidence that LGBT+ people have worse access to healthcare, poorer experiences and worse health outcomes than the general population. For example, in the government’s national LGBT survey (2018), LGBT+ people reported inadequate access to mental health services and poor experience of healthcare services in general. The GP Patient Experience Survey demonstrates that LGBT+ respondents have higher rates of mental health conditions and are more likely to report poor experience at their GP.
The NHS must serve everyone equally
The review will be led by Michael Brady, National Adviser for LGBT Health at NHS England, and the final report will be presented to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, in December.
The NHS is calling on academics, clinicians, public health professionals, local authorities, service providers, the voluntary sector, and other organisations to submit data that could inform further analysis. The review will align with the 10 Year Health Plan, in particular how the three shifts of hospital to community, sickness to prevention, and analogue to digital can address LGBT+ health inequalities.
Dr Michael Brady, National Adviser for LGBT Health at NHS England, said: “It’s unacceptable that LGBT+ people have a poorer overall experience of health services, which leads to worse health outcomes. This is the first review to look in depth at this issue and make recommendations which will help the NHS better meet the health needs of LGBT+ people.
“We will use an evidence-based approach to examine where and why these inequalities persist and to recommend how we should focus our energies on addressing them, as well as describing areas of best practice. I’m very keen for any organisations or individuals who work in healthcare who might have valuable data or evidence to contribute to the review, so we can get the best possible understanding of the issues and make effective recommendations to the government.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The NHS is at its best when it serves everyone equally – but evidence shows this hasn’t been happening. For too many LGBT+ people, accessing quality healthcare remains a challenge, and one often marked by discrimination, misunderstanding, and miseducation.
“That’s why I’ve commissioned a comprehensive review into LGBT+ health inequalities – because every patient deserves dignity, respect, and excellent care, regardless of who they are or who they love. Through our Plan for Change, we’re not just rebuilding our NHS, we’re building it back better for everyone.”
