NNSWLHD is taking steps to foster a more inclusive healthcare environment for LGBTIQ+ community and staff.
An LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy Working Group has been established to oversee efforts to address the healthcare needs and challenges faced by people of diverse sexualities and genders, both within our community and the NNSWLHD workforce.
The Working Group was initiated by the Lismore and Casino Community Advisory Group (CAG) and includes consumer and staff representatives and members of ACON, an organisation that provides services, advocacy and support for the LGBTIQ+ community.
The group will develop a NNSWLHD action plan in response to local needs and the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy which provides a framework for health services to deliver high quality, safe and responsive healthcare to LGBTIQ+ people.
Lismore and Casino CAG member and Working Group Chair, Victor Tawil, said the group was keen to identify priority areas to improve the safety and accessibility of care for LGBTIQ+ people in Northern NSW.
“The focus of the group will be to explore how we can ensure that healthcare services are sensitive to the needs of LGBTIQ+ individuals,” Victor said.
Dee Robinson, Director, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Services, is the executive sponsor for the initiative.
"The LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy Working Group is working towards creating an inclusive healthcare environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect," Dee said.
"By involving staff and community in the decision-making process, we aim to develop strategies that truly reflect their needs and experiences."
The LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy Working Group will focus on a range of priority areas in the statewide strategy, which include:
- addressing health disparities and barriers to care
- improving access to LGBTIQ+ friendly healthcare services
- promoting mental health and wellbeing within the LGBTIQ+ community
- providing education and training for staff.
For more information about the LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy Working Group and how to get involved, please contact Gerald May, Community Engagement Manager on 0418 341 992 or email Gerald.
Pictured:
LGBTIQ+ Working Group members, from left, Victor Tawil, Gerald May, Brad Bower, Jenna Monro-Argent (on screen), Lauren Hogarth, Bronwen Melchior, Paula Sheehan, Andrew Buggie. Absent: Dee Robinson, Jen Cant, Mossy Cluney, Chris Cormack, Melissa Ingram, Sharyn Marshall