LGBT resource collection
February is LGBT History Month. To mark the awareness event, we have gathered together a selection of our features, comment and peer-reviewed clinical articles from Nursing Standard and specialist journals Nursing Older People and Mental Health Practice for you to read.
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Features
LGBT youth missing out on support
According to a Department of Health-funded study young LGBT people are at increased risk of self-harm and suicide. The Queer Futures project has also revealed that mental health professionals lack access to the training they need to support these young people.
Zero tolerance for unhealthy attitudes
A report published in 2015 by Stonewall revealed the persistence of negative attitudes to LGBT people in health and social care services, with a significant problem existing between staff. Managers’ failure to support employees and challenge remarks, however subtle, are part of the problem.
Honest, open and non-judgemental health care
Trans* people often receive poor care from general and specialist health services, with many reporting negative experiences at gender identity clinics. CliniQ in London’s Soho area is run by trans* people and the clinic’s healthcare team to ensure an inclusive, non-judgemental service.
A role in which building rapport and relationships is all the more important
Establishing a rapport with a trans* patient is a vital aspect of health care. It encourages trust and helps build confidence, but for many nurses there is a fear of getting it wrong.
Analysis
Training and knowledge in transgender issues being left to chance
Just 13% of nurses feel prepared to meet the needs of their transgender patients, according to a survey by the RCN
Policy briefing
Fair care for trans people
The RCN is calling on the government to ensure the care of trans patients and those with gender dysphoria is introduced at all levels of nursing education. This policy briefing is your essential guide to new RCN guidance on meeting the care needs of transgender patients.
Evidence & practice
Sexual health needs and the LGBT community
This peer-reviewed article makes recommendations for the healthcare profession to address health inequalities and promote improved health outcomes for LGBT populations. It aims to promote an evidence-based approach that focuses on rights and public health issues.
Depathologising sexualities in mental health services
The aim of this article is to critique heteronormative cultural assumptions that inform mental health practice, from the standpoint positions of ‘queer’ scholarship. Those assumptions regard heterosexuality as the desired cultural norm and thus negatively affect the wellbeing of people in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, undecided and intersex (LGBTUI) communities.
Sociolegal and practice implications of caring for LGBT people with dementia
The needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people with dementia are poorly recognised. This article explores sociolegal issues that can arise in the care of older LGBT people with dementia, including enabling autonomy, capacity and applying legal frameworks to support their identities and relationships. It also highlights implications for practice.
Reflective writing
Difficult placement taught me how to challenge prejudice in practice
During a clinical placement, student nurse David Donovan realised some staff had judgemental attitudes and beliefs that could cause offence.
Comment
Reducing health inequalities for older LGBTQ+ people
Older LGBTQ+ people have low expectations of health and social care as they age, and fears about facing further discrimination, says Ben Thomas, mental health, learning disability and dementia care professional officer at the Department of Health.
The march goes on
Why is homophobia and discrimination against LGBT people still acceptable in the NHS, asks community staff nurse Drew Payne.
A patient's view
How to build trust with a young trans person like me
Jesse Ashman, a volunteer for Gendered Intelligence, has some advice for nurses treating a young trans person to help them build a trusting relationship