LGBT+ Inclusive Palliative & End-of-Life Care

Protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender history is widely variable across the world and attention is required to get this right for the significant populations who identify as LGBT+. Research in some countries has shown that even where such protections are written in law, lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans (LGBT) people may not receive the palliative and end of life care they need from health and social care professionals. 

In countries where inequality is legally or culturally sanctioned, LGBT+ people face barriers accessing basic healthcare and palliative care. Evidence demonstrates that LGBT people are at increased risk of certain life-limiting illnesses and life-threatening diseases, and at higher risk of mental health linked to discrimination. It is therefore important to ensure that health and social care is inclusive.However, empirical studies led by academics at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London and University of Hertfordshire, found that in the context of advanced illness LGBT+ people reported multiple barriers to accessing care, at service level and during interactions with health and social care professionals.