Andrew has pledged to support Marie Curie in calling for high quality palliative and end of life care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, following the release of the charity’s latest report: ‘Hiding Who I am’: The reality of end of life care for LGBT people.’
Andrew was joined by Marie Curie Nurse, Tracey Meaning, to help launch the report in Parliament, which has a forward written by writer Sandi Toksvig OBE, in Westminster earlier this week.
The report looks at the barriers that prevent LGBT people from accessing end of life care and highlights their real-life experiences. Findings show that nearly three-quarters (74%) of LGBT people are not confident that health and social care services provide sensitive end of life care for their needs. 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.
Many of those interviewed by researchers at the University of Nottingham (The Last Outing) and King’s College London (ACCESSCare), said they felt anxiety about having to hide who they are when accessing end of life care. One in four had experienced discrimination from health and social care professionals in their lifetime.
Andrew comments,“I welcome this report and the campaign by Marie Curie to improve access to care and the experiences of LGBT people who have a terminal illness. At a time when people are at their most vulnerable, this report sadly found that LGBT people may delay or avoid using palliative or hospice care due to fears of discrimination.
No one should feel that they cannot ask for help and I’m pleased that Marie Curie are working with patients and NHS England to look at how to improve confidence and overcome any barriers to care.”
Scott Sinclair, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said, “The support of Andrew Percy MP is incredibly valuable as part of our call for high quality end of life care for LGBT people. No one should have to hide who they are at the end of their lives. If LGBT people are not confident about health and social care services, or have experienced discrimination 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.”
Anyone affected by terminal illness can contact the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 for help and support. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. It is open Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturdays, 11am-5pm.
You can read the report here: ‘Hiding Who I am’: The reality of end of life care for LGBT people.’
Photo - Andrew with Marie Curie Nurse Tracey Meaning
