LGBT people face discrimination as they die

- Health Minister supports Marie Curie’s LGBT Report 

- Marie Curie report identifies the barriers preventing LGBT people from accessing end of life care 

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people are not confident that health and social care services provide sensitive end of life care for their needs¹. As a result, they often delay accessing the care they need and are more likely to experience unmanaged symptoms and pain at the end of their lives. 

These are the findings of a new report from the terminal illness charity, Marie Curie. ‘Hiding who I am: Exposing the reality of end of life care for LGBT people,’ looks at the barriers that prevent LGBT people from accessing end of life care and highlights their real-life experiences. 

The report draws on interviews with LGBT people living with a terminal illness, and their partners, by the University of Nottingham (The Last Outing  ) and King’s College London (ACCESSCare  ). It includes examples of indirect and direct discrimination, including a dying lady whose doctor refused to see her without a chaperone because she was a lesbian. 

Many people interviewed said they felt anxiety about having to hide who they are when accessing end of life care, with one in four experiencing discrimination from health and social care professionals in their lifetime. Others feared ‘outing’ themselves to care professionals, having grown up at a time when being gay was illegal. 

Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill said, “Everyone should be able to access quality palliative and end of life care, regardless of who they are or their personal circumstances.  I am pleased that much has been done to improve palliative care in the north to ensure that people who live with a terminal illness, and those who are important to them, are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.  

“The report published by Marie Curie today shows the effects that discrimination and stigmatisation can have on LGBT people, which can be acutely felt at the end of life.  It reinforces the need for all health and social care providers to be mindful of people as individuals and to ensure that this is reflected in how they, and those who are important to them, are treated and cared for”. 

Joan McEwan, Head of Policy and Public Affairs for Northern Ireland at Marie Curie commented, “No one should have to hide who they are at the end of their lives. If LGBT people are not confident about services, or have experienced discrimination from healthcare providers in the past, they may not feel able to be open about themselves and the people who are important to them – factors that are all crucial to dying well.” 

“Learning about the prejudice LGBT people experience as they are dying, when they are at their most vulnerable, is deeply saddening.”    

John O’Doherty, Director at The Rainbow Project said, “LGBT people continue to experience discrimination in many areas of their lives; however this is acutely felt when accessing end of life care. Vulnerable LGBT people need to be supported by compassionate services at this difficult time for themselves and their families and we hope that this report will precipitate a sea change in how service providers best meet the needs of their LGBT patients.” 

It is estimated that more than 1,150 LGBT people die each year in NI (40,000 in the UK). However, it is suggested that a significant number miss out on the care and support they need, despite experiencing higher rates of life-threatening diseases than the national average.

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