New Educational Resource Developed To Ensure The Needs Of LGBTQ+ People At End Of Life Are Met

A new educational resource for healthcare professionals has been launched with the objective of removing the barriers faced by LGBTQ+ people in accessing palliative and end of life care.

Funded by the end of life charity, Marie Curie, and developed by The Mary Stevens Hospice, ‘It’s more than rainbows in reception’ – Working with LGBTQ+ people in palliative and end of life care aims to equip any individual working in healthcare, whether it’s at a leadership level or providing hands-on care, as well as those who commission services, with the right information to address the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.

A co-production team which consisted of LGBTQ+ people and allies, many with lived experience of bias or prejudice when facing ill health, came together to help positively inform palliative and end of life care, education, policy, and practice.

Gemma Allen, No Barriers Here Co-Founder and Programme Lead at The Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “This educational is an essential piece of work that can help to transform the lived experience of LGBTQ+ people living with any terminal illness or at the end of life. We are grateful to Marie Curie for funding the project, and grateful to all of those LGBTQ+ people and allies who shared their experiences so candidly, so that we could create the best possible guide. The aim of this is to ensure that people receive the best palliative and end of life care, and I hope it does that.”

Sam Royston, Executive Director of Policy and Research at the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, said: “Previous research from Marie Curie has shown that many LGBTQ+ people can avoid palliative care, or hide their sexuality when accessing services, out of fear of discrimination or bias. It doesn’t matter who you are, or how you identify, everyone should have the right to good end of life care, and to have the best possible death. Marie Curie is dedicated to ensuring that anyone, whoever they are, has the best possible end of life experience.”