A GP Practice in Battersea has been awarded a GOLD Pride in Practice award for delivering a fully inclusive healthcare service to their patients.

Lavender Hill Group Medical Practice, based in Pourtney Road, received the award for its efforts in increasing visibility to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) service in the waiting room.

The award recognised the practice as working to improve recording of sexual orientation and using language that is more inclusive to people with same-gender partners.

Dr Owen Carter, a GP partner at the practice, said: “As a GP, I’m proud to support a wide range of LGBTQ+ patients and it’s a privilege to be part of their healthcare.

“My hope is that neighbouring GP Practices will take this opportunity to provide more inclusive services to LGBTQ+ patients and arrange training with the LGBT Foundation and work toward a GOLD award.”

Wandsworth Times:

Pride in Practice is a quality assurance support service delivered by the LGBT Foundation and works to strengthen and develop a GP practice’s relationship with their LGBTQ+ patients and is delivered in partnership with the Wandsworth LGBTQ+ Forum.

On the day of the award, practice staff celebrated their achievement and gathered to have their photo taken.

The practice now receives on-going support from Pride in Practice, including regular LGBTQ+ resources, information on local specialist services, and a national network of GP Champions.

Jacob Bayliss, Pride in Practice Coordinator, said: “The practice staff were fantastic to work with throughout.

“They were enthusiastic about making small changes that make a big difference to LGBTQ+ people, like wearing lanyards and badges, ensuring lesbian and bisexual women are taking up cervical screening by having important and inclusive conversations and being confident about their role in meeting the needs of trans patients.

“I was delighted to present them with a very well-deserved GOLD award.”