Liverpool City Council is working with local charity Sahir House and a range of partners to undertake a health needs assessment with LGBTQ+ communities to better understand their experiences and the health inequalities they face.

To coincide with LGBTQ+ history month, Liverpool is launching its first dedicated health needs assessment (survey) for local LGBTQ+ people.

National evidence shows that LGBTQ+ people (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace) face inequalities relating to health and wellbeing throughout their lives – including barriers to accessing healthcare services.

A 2018 Stonewall survey also found that half of LGBTQ+ people had experienced depression in the previous year, and that a quarter of people had witnessed discrimination by healthcare staff.

The survey, which is the first for Liverpool will incorporate information from a range of sources, including national level evidence and data from the 2021 census.

The key findings will be used to design focus groups and explore the key issues identified in more depth.

It will also support Liverpool’s commitment to the UNICEF Child Friendly City Programme and champion the needs of LGBTQ+ children.

All of the information gathered will be used to make recommendations for the Council, partners and stakeholders in order to improve services across the city.

The survey is open until Monday 3 April 2023 and LGBTQ+ people aged 16 and over are encouraged to take part here: liverpool.gov.uk/LGBTQneeds