• To be aware of the challenges that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender + (LGBT+) people often experience in relation to health and social care
• To consider what steps you could take in your practice to enhance the care of LGBT+ people
• To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers)
• To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)
Rapid sociocultural shifts in understanding and acceptance of variations in sexual orientation and gender identity have occurred in recent decades, and UK health and social care providers have a legal obligation to address inclusion, discrimination and equality in policies and services. Despite this, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender + (LGBT+) people continue to report inadequate health outcomes and suboptimal experiences of care. This article considers the health ecology in relation to those who identify as LGBT+ and outlines the concept of intersectionality. The author discusses some of the issues experienced by LGBT+ people in relation to various physical and mental health conditions and services. The article aims to encourage nurses to consider what steps they can take to improve care for this group.
Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12032
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Heyworth B (2023) Meeting the health and social care needs of LGBT+ people. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12032
Published online: 03 January 2023
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