Pride Month is dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTIQ+ voices, culture and rights. Throughout the month of June, events are organised as part political activism, part celebration of all the LGBTIQ+ community has achieved over the years.
The LGBTIQ+ community still face discrimination and this month is a chance to work together and show support for one another.
Bendigo Health’s breast screening clinic is just one example of how our services provide support in different ways to create a safe and welcoming experience for everyone. BreastScreen Victoria Bendigo, run out of Bendigo Health as part of the national breast cancer screening program, provides free mammograms to women and trans and gender diverse people who meet the eligibility criteria.
BreastScreen Program Manager Eliza Alford said: “We know that people from the LGBTIQ+ community are less likely to access health care, sometimes due to negative experiences in the past, or fear of having to explain their body, partner or identity.”
“By showing we are a welcoming and inclusive service who have worked with local community members and have staff that have received diversity training, people can be confident they are going to be treated respectfully when they attend,’’ she said.
Private waiting areas, the option of group bookings to bring friends or family to feel supported and safe, and displays of rainbow flags and posters, all help encourage people come regularly and early, before symptoms are noticed and when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Eliza said inclusive language is also an important practice.
“For instance, at BreastScreen in the past we would have talked about the ‘women’ who attend but we now use the term ‘clients’.
“Another way to support patients is to use their chosen name. It’s good practice to collect both Legal Name and Preferred Name on booking forms, as well as pronouns,” she said.
Bendigo Health is committed to LGBTIQ+ inclusive practices. Our health service strives to provide a positive culture built on safety, increasing engagement and encouraging wellbeing.