The Committee have invited representatives from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Foundation to discuss specific health improvement interventions for LGBT communities in Manchester, including the Greater Manchester Trans Health Service and Pride in Ageing.

The Committee welcomed Laurence Webb, Assistant Director, Inclusion, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) Foundation who had been invited to discuss with Members specific health improvement interventions for LGBT communities in Manchester.

Mr Webb delivered a presentation to the Committee that provided an overview of the range of initiatives and projects designed to ensure the needs and experiences of the diverse LGBT community were included within the development of wide ranging services in public health and wider society. This included;

·         Provided an overview and brief history of the LGBT Foundation;

·         Bring Dementia Out, focusing on the needs of LGBT people affected by dementia;

·         Macmillan LGBT Cancer Programme, noting that LGBT people had higher risk factors for cancer, were more likely to receive late diagnoses, and were less likely to engage with screening programmes;

·         Making Smoking History LGBT Programme, noting that LGBT people were significantly more likely to smoke than the general population. Prides and LGBT spaces and events had been targeted by the tobacco industry, and smoking cessation services were underutilised by LGBT people;

·         Pride in Practice, a quality assurance and social prescribing service that strengthened and developed primary care services relationships with their LGBT patients within the local community;

·         Trans Programme, noting that Our Trans Programme was the first in the UK and supports upwards of 1,500 trans and non-binary people every year; and

·         Demographic and equalities monitoring to be achieved by working with local organisations to ensure their data collection aligned with best practice within LGBT communities.

A Member commented that he welcomed the ‘Bring Dementia Out’ initiative, noting that whilst an individual’s experience of dementia was different, and could affect different age groups it was important to recognise and respond to the needs of older LGBT people. Mr Webb acknowledged this comment and stated that often the perception of the LGBT community was that of young people, however it was important to recognise the needs and offer appropriate support to older people.

In response to a question from a Member regarding the current challenges to the LGBT Foundation, Mr Webb stated that they were increasingly experiencing people approaching them for assistance and advice who had complex needs, including issues around homelessness; substance misuse; domestic violence and mental health. He said that the LGBT Foundation were responding to this by working with a range of partners, including the local Mental Health Trust to provide Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. 

Mr Webb further commented that it was important to recognise that despite an increased awareness of, and increased visibility of the LGBT community, it was important to acknowledge that homophobia and transphobia still existed in society and this needed to be challenged. He further commented that the trans and non-binary community experienced difficulties in accessing advice, support and health services. He advised that work was currently ongoing to address this, however due to the current commissioning process he was limited to as to the information he could currently share with the Members. 

Mr Webb replied to a question from a Member regarding support for BAME, disabled and learning disabled LGBT people by commenting that it was recognised that the LGBT community is a multifaceted community and the Foundation offered a range of services and programmes to recognise and support the many different groups within the LGBT community. He further commented that work was ongoing to address racism within the LGBT community.

Members heard that Pride in Practice was a support package that enabled health professionals to effectively and confidently meet the needs of LGBT patients. In response to a question from the Chair regarding turnover of staff in GP Practices, Mr Webb confirmed that they would refresh the training as and when required and they remained a point of contact for support and advice for Practice Managers. He stated that the accreditation status was awarded for one year and Practices were then reassessed. He stated that posters were displayed in Practices to promote the LGBT Foundation telephone number to encourage people to access and contact the service.

In reply to a specific question from the Chair who asked what the Council could do to support the work of the LGBT Foundation, Mr Webb responded by stating that the Council and all of its partners should ensure that their data collection aligned with best practice within LGBT communities.

Decision

To note the presentation and thank Mr Webb for attending the meeting.