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First rainbow tick for LGBTI inclusivity in aged care

Hepburn Health Service, a healthcare provider delivering services to a population of 17,000 people in country Victoria, is the first aged and home care provider in Australia to receive a Rainbow Tick Accreditation.

<p>Hepburn Health Service in Victoria is the first aged and home care provider in Australia to receive a Rainbow Tick Accreditation.</p>

Hepburn Health Service in Victoria is the first aged and home care provider in Australia to receive a Rainbow Tick Accreditation.

The Rainbow Tick acknowledges organisations for meeting the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) peoples.

It was developed by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria in partnership with Quality Improvement and Community Services Accreditation (QICSA) for demonstrating inclusivity and a safe and welcoming environment for LBGTI people.

Hepburn Health’s three aged care residences at Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham, along with the Health Services’ Home Care Packages Program, were formally accredited this month.

Brian Dunn, Manager of Health Promoting Health Service at Hepburn Health, was part of the working group that guided the Health Service through the accreditation process.

“For many of our older LGBTI community members being discriminated against has been a big part of their lived experience. It wasn’t that long ago that being LGBTI was deemed to be a psychiatric illness or a criminal activity,” Mr Dunn says.

“Because of this many older LGBTI people are less inclined to access mainstream healthcare services leading to poorer health outcomes than the general population.”

Although LGBTI consumers have the same right to access safe and high quality services as everyone else, not all service providers are able to understand or respond well to the needs of the LGBTI community.

“A major part of the accreditation process was the provision of specialist training and education for our staff along with updating our standards and procedures including admission processes,” Mr Dunn explains.

“It further demonstrates our commitment to being a person-centred health service, ensuring that LGBTI consumers are valued and understood.”

According to Trish Collocott, chief executive officer of Hepburn Health, “having the Rainbow Tick gives a clear message to our community that we are prepared and in a place to receive LGBTI consumers in an environment where they can feel safe and receive service from our staff who are knowledgeable and respectful”.

To be recognised with the Rainbow Tick, organisations are guided through a cycle of self assessment and review by external assessors to determine the extend to which the organisation meets the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex consumers.

At Hepburn Health, an integral part to achieving Rainbow Tick was the establishment of an LGBTI Advisory Committee that included consumer representatives from within the community.

Jules Sappho is a former theatre nurse and a member of the Hepburn Health LGBTI Advisory Committee who has experienced prejudice firsthand within a healthcare setting based on her sexual orientation.

“Achieving Rainbow Tick speaks volumes to the clients, staff, visitors and the community as a whole. It clearly states that Hepburn Health values diversity and welcomes everyone. When I see the pride flag stickers on the front door, I feel safe to be open about who I am and my family life,” says Ms Sappho.

“Having the Rainbow Tick will encourage LGBTI seniors to seek healthcare at Hepburn Health with the confidence that they can be open and honest. It will encourage connection – between their loved ones and staff, and perhaps ease the transition into full-time care.”

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