Call to get ticked
Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) is calling for health care services around the state to take part in a pilot program to foster LGBTI inclusion.
So far 10 health services have agreed to participate.
The Rainbow Tick accreditation guidelines have been developed by GLHV in conjunction with health auditors Quality Improvement and Community Services Accreditation (QICSA).
A Rainbow Tick guide to help health service providers offer more GLBTI-friendly care and set up a ‘best practice’ guide for Victorian health services was released earlier this year.
The guidelines were the first of their kind in Australia to comprehensively set out ways health care providers can improve the quality of care for GLBTI people.
The accreditation process is also the first formal process of its kind in Australia.
The initiative follows the 2009 release of the the Well Proud guide, a best-practice ‘bible’ for health services to come to grips with the needs of GLBTI people.
The Victorian Department of Health has funded the Rainbow Tick program. To take part, contact GLHV by Sept 29.
INFO: www.glhv.org.au
This is an important and much-needed initiative. It is particularly needed in relation to aged care services, where people may be afraid to be out when they are accessing services or seeking information. An indicator such as a tick or a flag on a database could provide an immediate sign that a service is GLBTI friendly, or has undertaken training, or meets a set of standards. This needs to be applied nationally and incorporated into the Aged Care and Carers information systems and eventually the Seniors Gateway. GLHV is to be congratulated for this project.
This is a brilliant idea. I hope this goes well and is extended to Nursing homes. Presently most hospitals think diversity is actually about ethnic diversity only. It is hard though, when the Liberal Government has just cut millions from hospitals. Most things cost money to run and most hospitals are now having to make major cuts in Victoria.