Mx Tegan Murnane1, Mx Connor Gryffydd1, Ms Alison Hocking
1Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Alison Hocking is the Allied Health Service Development Manager at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, having previously been Manager of Social Work & Diversity at RMH. She is a current PhD student at the University of Melbourne.
Melanie Van Diemen is a Grade 4 Social Worker at RMH and is the first social worker in an Advanced Practice role at the organisation. She has extensive experience in clinical social work provision and was one of the inaugural Victorian state-wide Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigators.
Abstract:
Purpose:
Provide an overview of the progress of the RMH LPLS since commencement in provision of direct clinical care, multidisciplinary clinician and health service capacity building and medical record innovations. Offer insights into demonstrated successes, learnings, and barriers for consideration by organisations seeking to implement similar LGBITQA+ focused roles.
Nature/Scope:
The LGBTIQA+ community report significant barriers in accessing healthcare due to limited supports, discrimination, and fear of mistreatment.
In 2021, the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) established a LGBTIQA+ Patient Liaison Service (LPLS) and began laying the foundations toward advancing health care for everyone under the rainbow.
The RMH LPLS is believed to be the first of its kind in an Australian hospital and consists of two allied health clinicians- who bring lived experience as members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Now in its fourth year, the RMH LPLS provides multifaceted direct support to LGBTIQA+ consumers, assists RMH staff to provide safe and inclusive care and drives continual improvement in systems, practices and facilities.
Methods:
Mixed methodology utilising referral and demographic data, feedback and insights from education, consultation, and clinician experience.
Outcome:
This model of service provision promotes safer, more inclusive care for the LGBTIQA+ community and creates a precedent for the implementation of similar services in other health services.
Lived-experience clinicians and leadership support has been essential in the sustainably and evolution of the service.
Utilisation of the service has steadily grown in tandem with a noticeable increase in the complexity of clinical and broader organisational and advocacy work