Health: Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Women

Baroness Brinton Excerpts

Thursday 5th March 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bethell]

My noble friend is entirely right to raise the issue of adult gender dysphoria. Delays in finding the right consultations are of concern to the Government. Those delays have an impact on the mental health of those concerned. It is a focus of the LGBT action plan, and I would be glad to update my noble friend as progress is made.

[Baroness Brinton (LD)]

My Lords, last year’s Women and Equalities Committee report, Health and Social Care and LGBT Communities, recommended:

“Training can be the first exposure that students have to LGBT health needs. All registration bodies should ensure that case studies … does not play into stereotypes. Registration bodies should develop these case studies in cooperation with local LGBT organisations.”


Can the Minister tell the House whether organisations are now following this advice?

[Lord Bethell]

The noble Baroness is entirely right to ask about training, which is at the heart of our LGBT action plan. NHS England has funded the Royal College of Physicians to develop the UK’s first accredited training course on gender medicine and has developed online and video content to help to create the type of training we believe will have an impact. The training of the workforce and its awareness of LBGT needs will be at the heart of improvement in this area. That is why we are focusing our efforts on training.