Who feels welcome in healthcare?
2 June 2026
Pride Month is a celebration of inclusivity, progress and community. But for many LGBTQ+ people, the experience of healthcare still falls short of those ideals.
For many LGBTQ+ people, experiences of discrimination, misunderstanding, or exclusion can affect both the quality of care received and whether individuals feel able to seek care at all (1). A growing body of research demonstrates that an individual’s experience of healthcare is shaped not only by clinical need, but also by wider social and economic factors, including gender identity and sexual orientation.
While significant advances have been made in legislation and social attitudes over recent decades, evidence continues to show that LGBTQ+ people can experience poorer health outcomes and barriers to accessing care.
Disparities in the workplace
These disparities are not limited to patients. LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals may also experience bullying, discrimination, and inequity within the workplace. Evidence from the British Medical Association report Sexual orientation and gender identity in the medical profession (2) highlights the continued impact of these experiences across healthcare settings. Inclusive and supportive working environments are essential not only for staff wellbeing, but also for effective teamwork, workplace culture, and ultimately patient safety.
Recognising these challenges, in April 2025 the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, commissioned NHS England to undertake a comprehensive LGBT+ health evidence review, aiming to inform more equitable healthcare delivery.
“The NHS is at its best when it serves everyone equally – but evidence shows this hasn’t been happening. For too many LGBT+ people, accessing quality healthcare remains a challenge, and one often marked by discrimination, misunderstanding, and miseducation.” - Wes Streeting (3)
Looking to the future
Anaesthetists and the wider peri-operative team care for patients at some of their most vulnerable moments, when clear communication and trust between team members are essential. The specialty relies on cohesive teams, and inclusive cultures are fundamental to delivering high-quality care.
To support this, the Association developed dedicated guidance on the peri-operative care of transgender and gender-diverse individuals, helping clinicians and departments deliver safe, respectful, and inclusive care across the patient journey: Peri-operative care of transgender and gender-diverse individuals: guidance for clinicians and departments.
Promoting inclusion within the specialty is not only about fairness, it is about improving outcomes for patients and strengthening the profession as a whole.