Lesbian & gay healthcare guidance

Public services union UNISON and the Royal College of Nursing have published new guidelines for staff on providing healthcare for lesbian, gay and bisexual service users.

Lesbians and gay men often face difficulties over their partners not being recognised in relation to healthcare treatment and decisions. The new guidance should prevent confusion or misunderstandings over the right way to treat partners -enabling them to be seen not just as "friends" but as people with the same rights as other significant members of the patient's family to be informed and consulted.

UNISON's head of health Karen Jennings said: "The term 'next of kin' is widely misunderstood. In the vast majority of cases, the refusal of healthcare workers to acknowledge a same-sex partner has no legal basis. It certainly hinders good healthcare.

"This guide is not about giving special treatment," she added. "It's designed to make healthcare workers think about changes in our society and family structures, and apply an understanding of cultural diversity when delivering healthcare."

The guidelines offer practical help such as making sure healthcare staff are aware that:

* they have lesbian, gay and bisexual service users, even if it is not clear who they are;

* they should ask service users to name the people they wish to be informed and involved in treatment decisions, and should explain what this means rather than using the term "next of kin"; and

* inclusive and gender-neutral language should be used if possible when requesting information.