King's College London

ACCESSCare-A addresses LGBT inequity through the development and dissemination of evidence-based resources. These resources are intended to increase the demand for and supply of appropriate end-of-life care.

We conducted qualitative interviews with 40 LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans) people. This included 20 LGBT people with advanced illness, and 20 current and bereaved unpaid caregivers of someone with advanced illness. We asked about their experiences of illness, the teams who cared for them and their care needs. We also asked about experiences and views of disclosing sexual orientation and gender identity to professionals, how partners were involved in care, barriers to care, and recommendations for training for professionals.

Our findings revealed both positive and negative experiences in the care that LGBT+ people received, shaped by interactions with professionals and also by the way the organisation was managed.

We used our analysis to develop 10 evidence-based recommendations to improve care for LGBT people with advanced illness.

The findings were also used to inform a co-produced resource. We worked with an LGBT community organisation. They informed the resource and helped to make it more relevant. We wanted the resource to have a positive impact and be meaningful to patients who need these services.

Training for health and social care professionals was developed. It was integrated into existing end-of-life care curricula for health care professionals.

Aim

To improve demand for and supply of palliative care for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans) people facing advanced illness and bereavement.

Resources

10 recommendations to improve care for LGBT people with advanced illness
10 evidence-based recommendations, developed from the ACCESSCare-A interviews, for professionals and organisations to improve care for LGBT people with advanced illness.

Palliative & End-of-Life Care for LGBT People: A guide for LGBT people facing advanced illness
Guide about Palliative & End-of-Life Care for LGBT people, developed from the ACCESSCare-A interviews, for use by LGBT people facing advanced illness.

Online course: ‘How to reduce inequalities in end of life care for LGBTQ people’
E-learning course about the needs and experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people who are facing advanced illness, freely available to members of King’s Health Partners (including King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts).

2014 Marie Curie Research Conference
Richard Harding on ACCESSCare-A, as part of the 2014 Marie Curie Research Conference