Resources

Knowledge & Understanding

Be knowledgeable about LGBTIQ+ specific support and community groups.

Resources for creating a directory of support and community groups:

· Vic Government resources/directory

· Directory of LGBTIQ+ Services (under continual review)

· The Victorian LGBTIQ+ Strategy

Be inclusive of LGBTQI+ people.

Training/videos for practice learning sessions:

· Care to the trans and non-gender identified patients (10.27mins)

· Becoming More Gay Friendly in Your Practice

· Trans 101 Gender Diversity Crash Course

· Best Practice Scripts for Transgender Affirming Environments

· Transgender and Gender Diverse Inclusive-Care Guide for Hospital Based Health Care Professionals

· LGBTQIA+ Health and Inclusive Healthcare in General Practice

Resources for developing a practice inclusion statement:

· RACGP Practice Guide LGBTIQ+ Fact Sheet (refer factsheet titled LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Policy pdf)

NB these factsheets refer to homelessness services and would need amending for GP setting.

· Thorne Harbour Health Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Be aware of the impact of sexual orientation-based discrimination on health.

Training/videos on impacts of sexual orientation-based discrimination:

· LGBTIQ+ clients – To Treat Me, You Have to Know Who I am (18mins)

· Health in the LGBTIQ+ Community: Improving Care and Confronting Discrimination (59 mins)

Be aware of how health risks and healthcare issues specifically relate to people who are LGBTQI+.

Resources for clinicians on health risks and issues:

· Sexual and reproductive needs of the LGBTIQ+ community

· Bi5 Health Issues and Health Risks challenges of LGBTIQ+ community Pg. 3

· Improving the health of LGBTIQ+ people page 3 - health disparities

· Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Support for community-based health professionals via online resources and on-site education and training opportunities.

· Mental health care for trans, gender diverse and non-binary people

· Contemporary Trans and Gender Diverse Health for General Practitioners

· Australian Sexually Transmitted Infection & HIV Testing Guidelines 2019

· Promoting the Health and Rights of Gay Men Worldwide

Be knowledgeable about LGBTQI+ sensitive referral networks.

Resources on LGBTIQ+ sensitive referral networks:

· The trans GP module (60 minutes)

Resources to help with creating LGBTIQ+ specific referral directory:

· Directory of LGBTIQ+ Services (under continual review)

· Thorne Harbour Health – Health services and programs aimed at LGBTI Communities

· LGBTIQ+ Health Australia Member Directory

· Switchboard Phone: 1800 729 367, Text: 0480 017 246

· Your Community Health Trans and gender diverse health

· Mental health resources for LGBTIQ+ communities

NB. Visitor support schemes, including online, are also available for LGBTIQ+ elders, coordinated nationally by Silver Rainbow.

Be knowledgeable about the difference between sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status and how these intersect.

Resources for understanding orientation, identity, and status:

· RACGP sex, sexuality, gender diversity and health contextual unit

· LGBTIQ+ Health Australia Inclusive Language Guide

· Inclusive Practices for Non-Binary Clients

· Intersex Human Rights Australia - What is intersex?

· Trans and gender diverse health and wellbeing

Attitudes

Be non-judgemental. Avoid the assumption of gender, sex, sexuality.

Training/videos on addressing assumptions and judgement:

· LGBTIQ+ Introduction eLearning - Interactive eLearning delivered in three modules: Meet the Communities, Know the Facts, and Understand the Lived Experience. (60 mins - $40).

· Best Practice Scripts for Transgender Affirming Environments

· LGBTIQ+ People Talk About Their Experiences Accessing Healthcare (North West Melbourne PHN Video) (5.52 mins)

· To Treat Me You Have to Know Who I Am (NYC Health and Hospitals Video) (10.18 mins)

Resources for developing a code of conduct:

· Sample code of conduct

Be willing to facilitate disclosure of sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status. Avoid asking questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status that are not clinically relevant.

Resources for developing a practice policy:

· Sample anti-discrimination policy (see page 6)

Resources to support staff training:

· Providing Affirmative Care for People with Non-Binary Gender Identities

Resources for developing client’s rights charter:

· Sample Client Rights

Resources for inclusive sexual history:

· Guide to taking LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Sexual History

Be aware of additional barriers that increase stigmatisation, including Aboriginality, ethnic minority status, disability, age, or economic status (intersectionality).

Resources to improve awareness of intersectionality:

· LGBTIQ+ intersectionality learning module

Be aware of, and willing to rectify, knowledge gaps and refer to specialised services as required.

RACGP Training Modules:

· Primary Health Care for Trans, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary People (60 mins)

Resources to help with creating LGBTIQ+ specific referral directory:

· Directory of LGBTIQ+ services and support

· Thorne Harbour Health – Health services and programs aimed at LGBTI Communities

· LGBTIQ+ Health Australia

· Switchboard Phone: 1800 729 367, Text: 0480 017 246

NB. Visitor support schemes, including online, are also available for LGBTIQ+ elders, coordinated nationally by Silver Rainbow.

Communication

Use gender-neutral words such as “partner” and other inclusive terms to facilitate disclosure.

Resource guide for inclusive language:

· The Victoria LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Language Guide

If you want or need to understand more about LGBTIQ+ communities, we encourage you to seek further information and training on inclusive language and practice. For more resources, you can contact the Equality Branch in the Department of Premier and Cabinet at equality@dpc.vic.gov.au.

When taking a sexual history, be aware of the fluidity of sexual expression and the “coming-out” process.

Training/videos for taking a sexual history:

· Sexuality - Safer Sex - Taking a Sexual History (wavelength free course)

· Gender - Affirmation and Sexual History (wavelength free course)

Resources for inclusive sexual history:

· Guide to taking LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Sexual History

Further Reading

· What does it mean to be sexually fluid?

Clarify the appropriate pronoun and mailing title to be used where appropriate.

Training/videos for correct use of pronouns:

· Gender Pronouns, Get Them Right!

· Here’s why gender pronouns are so important

· Gender - Pronouns (wavelength free course)

Resources for review of intake forms:

· Sample Client Registration Form

· Sample Intake Form (see page 12)

Give choice regarding documentation of next of kin, sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in the health record and letters and ensure that information is treated confidentially.

Resources for developing a confidentiality statement:

· Inclusive Practice Guide - Disclosure and Confidentiality

· Sample Confidentiality Statement (page 16)

Resources for review of intake forms:

· Sample Client Registration Form

· Sample Intake Form (see page 12)

Resources for developing client’s rights charter:

· Sample Client Rights

The organisation effectively promotes and communicates its services to the LGBTIQ+ community

Resources for developing client’s rights charter:

· Sample Client Rights

Sample inclusive practice website:

· Star Health - see inclusive practice statement in footer.

Resources for developing Confidentiality Statement:

· Inclusive Practice Guide: Disclosure and Confidentiality

· Sample Confidentiality Statement (page 16)

Practice Environment

Design intake forms to be inclusive of all relationships and genders.

Resources for review of intake forms:

· Sample Client Registration Form

· Sample Intake Form (see page 12)

Display and make available brochures and posters relating to LGBTIQ+ patients

· Welcome and Privacy Poster

· Customisable posters (including: we are not all the same, what do inclusive services mean for you, LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing matters, everyone is valued)

Maintain confidentiality with each patient

Resources for developing Confidentiality Statement:

· Inclusive Practice Guide: Disclosure and Confidentiality

· Sample Confidentiality Statement (page 16)

Have a written practice policy on anti-discrimination, including issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.

Resources to develop anti-discrimination policies and codes of conduct:

· Sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status discrimination

· Sample code of conduct

· Non discrimination statement and policy

Workforce planning, recruitment and selection, and performance management processes and documentation are inclusive of LGBTIQ+ staff and volunteers.

Resources for creating an affirmative action policy:

· Inclusive employer’s standards

· Equal Opportunity Employer statement

· Equal opportunity employer policy

· Transgender people at work guideline

The organisation has an integrated LGBTIQ+ consumer feedback system that ensures continuous LGBTIQ+ quality improvement and planning.

Resources for feedback form development or review:

· Sample Client Suggestions-Compliments-Complaints

· RACGP Practice Guide LGBTIQ+ Fact Sheets

(refer factsheet titled LGBTIQ+ Complaints Pathways) NB these factsheets refer to homelessness services and would need amending for GP setting.

Resources for evaluation form development:

· Sample Evaluation Feedback Form