“Healthcare experiences must be safe and free from judgement” - President of Medical Council

• Medical Council President calls upon health and social care professionals to advocate for minority groups
• Medical Council research shows that a significant majority (89%) of people in Ireland believe that one or more minority groups is at risk of receiving sub-standard healthcare

Friday 28th June 2024: The President of the Medical Council, Dr Suzanne Crowe, has today encouraged doctors and healthcare workers to lean into professional development, challenge biases, and advocate for policies that lift up our most vulnerable populations. 

Speaking recently at LGBT Ireland’s 2024 Pride Healthcare Conference ‘Bridging Gaps & Building LGBTQ+ Inclusive Healthcare Environments’ at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Dr Crowe highlighted the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community and other minority groups.  

"Those who work in medicine also know that no two patients are the same. Every patient we meet is unique and has their own needs, concerns, and healthcare journey. As healthcare professionals, we must acknowledge that we never know what’s happening on the other side of someone’s front door, in their home, or inside their head. We don’t always know the state of their mental wellbeing – if they’ve suffered from loss, tragedy, bereavement, or mental health issues.  

“Discrimination, lack of understanding, and systemic barriers can impede the path to compassionate healthcare. The Medical Council commissioned research in September 2023, carried out by Ipsos B&A, on how the public felt they should be treated in a healthcare setting. A significant  majority (89%) of people surveyed believe that one or more minority groups is at risk of receiving sub-standard healthcare. The greatest concerns were for older people (57%), followed by other minority groups including the Traveller community (34%), refugees (33%), and the LGBTQI+ community (14%). Reasons provided by respondents include being unable to advocate or speak up for themselves, as well as ageism, bias, racism, and prejudice.  

“It is vital that healthcare experiences for our LGBTQI+ patients are safe, validating, and free from judgement. Positive steps taken today will help to foster greater inclusion, equality and diversity into the future. As thousands of members of the LGBTQI+ community and allies gather this week and at various events nationwide over the summer to celebrate Pride, we must remember as doctors and healthcare professionals that we must be inclusive, and we should avail of the excellent training opportunities that are available to us. We should do this for our patients, for our colleagues, for our families and for our friends.”, Dr Crowe concluded.  

Training opportunities, such as the LGBT+ Champions programme, are available to doctors and healthcare professionals to help them understand the identities and advocate for the needs of their LGBTQI+ patients. These are provided by LGBT Ireland, the HSE, postgraduate training bodies, universities, advocacy groups and charities. Further information on some of the courses and our research is available here.