LGBT Foundation, supported by Lambeth, have been delivering Pride in Practice training, quality assurance and social prescribing programme to Lambeth GP surgeries – and other primary care providers – for over two years.
Meeting the needs of patients
Pride in Practice Gold Award Winners the Pavilion GP Practice, in the heart of Brixton, signed up at the recommendation of their partners at Hetherington Group Practice. Assistant Manager Lisa says: “It was a really good thing to get involved. At least 12 of the 16 of us working here – GPs, receptionists, admin staff, and nurses – did the initial training day, then senior GP Dr Cox and I followed up with an interview and final assessment leading to a gold certificate.
Serving the community
“With our location, we see a lot of LGBTQ+ patients. I’ve been there to help someone change their identity on the NHS records when they were transitioning. We host a twice-weekly clinic with the Health Inclusion Team, working with people who’ve fled to this country because of their sexuality and can’t get healthcare anywhere else. We work closely with Lambeth’s drugs and alcohol teams. We’ve changed all our patient questions as a result of the training to include Trans men and women.
Visible and valued
“Our Pride in Practice accreditation is up on the noticeboard as you come into the practice now, along with lots of new LGBQT+ information leaflets and information. I’ve certainly found it valuable keeping in touch with the Foundation’s trainers. They were really cool and definitely got the whole team on board.
Make everyone aware
“It’s a really good thing to be involved with Pride in Practice. Not everyone is aware of the right services to signpost LGBTQ+ people to – now they can be. The more of us join the network, the more people from the community can have confidence to come to us when they need help, the more healthy people we’ll have. It’s a step forward into the 21st century.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Lucy Caldicott, joint Cabinet Member for Health, said: “The Pride in Practice award helps reassure us in the LGBTQ+ community that we will get understanding and inclusive services from Lambeth’s GPs and pharmacies. We hope to see many more Primary Care health providers train to confidently meet the needs of our diverse communities.”
More information
Pride in Practice aims to strengthen and develop Primary Care Services’ relationship with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBTQ+) patients within the local community. Pride in Practice enables practitioners to confidently and effectively meet the needs of patients through increased awareness and understanding of different healthcare needs.
- Please email PIP@LGBT.Foundation or call 0345 3 30 30 30 to sign your practice up now.
- Find out more about Pride in Practice
