Barriers to access and gaps in the Territory’s health services for the LGBTIQ+ community have been uncovered in a new report from the ACT Health Directorate.
In its LGBTIQ+ Health Scoping Study Report, ACT Health said it found that health needs across the LGBTIQ+ community were extremely varied, “reflecting significant differences in experience between individuals and each cohort representing a letter in the LGBTIQ+ acronym”.
“A shortage of available primary care professionals, including general practitioners (GPs), mental health supports and paediatric specialists with an understanding of LGBTIQ+ health needs have exacerbated the issues faced by the LGBTIQ+ community in seeking health services,” ACT Health said.
“This has resulted in significant gaps in health care for LGBTIQ+ people in the ACT,” it said.
“Some groups were found to be experiencing numerous barriers to accessing health services.”
ACT Health said the Study highlighted serious concerns for transgender and/or gender-diverse people; Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer and + (LBQ+) identifying people; people who identified as having a variation of sex characteristics; and older LGBTIQ+ people who still faced stigma and discrimination.
The Directorate said the inability of health services to understand, acknowledge or respond appropriately to the health needs of the LGBTIQ+ community had led to poorer mental health outcomes and, in some cases, individuals not seeking treatment for fear of stigma or discrimination.
“In turn, this has impacted on the health system experience of some LGBTIQ+ community members with excessive wait times, delays from referrals and high costs associated with interstate or international travel,” it said.
“It is critical that members of the LGBTIQ+ community are welcomed and treated with respect in health services, so that they are not deterred from accessing the health services that they need.”
ACT Health made 24 recommendations, including the establishment of a gender-focused health service in Canberra; education and training for health services staff; visible and easy-to-navigate health pathways; mental health support; and ensuring family and domestic violence services were LGBTIQ+ inclusive.
“It will take a concerted effort and commitment across ACT Government Directorates, publicly-funded health services and private service providers to overcome the barriers to health services identified in this Report,” the Directorate said.
It said the Scoping Study was part of the Territory’s Capital of Equality Strategy.
ACT Health’s 54-page Study Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
