Caring for older people from the LGBTQ+ community

Hampshire Perspectives is the County Council’s residents’ forum.

This report summarises key findings from the 42nd Hampshire Perspectives survey.

This survey was run alongside one asking Hampshire County Council care workers about their experience and views. Findings from the two were analysed together.

The Hampshire Perspectives survey was open between 14 and 28 April 2025, and was completed by 697 Hampshire Perspectives members, while 151 HCC care workers took part between in the parallel survey between 23 April and 22 May 2025.

Key findings were as follows:

• Not many people recalled being asked about their sexual orientation or gender identity by a health care professional (less than 20%).
• Almost all of those who had, 98% had answered honestly.
• Of those who hadn’t, most (around 80%) said they would answer truthfully if they were to be asked, with around a further 10% saying it would depend on the circumstances.
• Around three quarters of respondents wouldn’t mind being asked, particularly if relevant to their care or treatment, and if they understood why.
• Such questions were seen as important for appropriate medical care, allowing a holistic and person-centred approach, building trust and rapport with a care provider, and aligning with the inclusive society in which we live.
• Establishing gender identity was seen as even more valuable understanding sexual orientation.
• There is however a smaller proportion of respondents however who were less comfortable, expressing frustration, annoyance or irritation at the idea of being asked such questions.
• Typically this group felt such questions were irrelevant, intruded on privacy and personal beliefs, and negatively impacted on appointment efficiency and healthcare professionals’ time. Some also believed that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their circumstances, and voiced views on political correctness and needs of the minority shaping interactions with the majority.
• Questions which were most challenged were around whether someone is transgender, and about preferred pronouns.
• Despite the views of the minority, the care workers’ findings indicated that there was more anxiety over asking such questions than the Hampshire Perspectives responses would warrant:
• Fewer people minded being asked than HCC care workers believed to be the case
• Those care workers who had asked such questions found it much easier than those who hadn’t (yet).
• Healthcare workers felt establishing gender identity / sexual orientation was not always prioritised because:
• People would be treated equally regardless
• They worried about asking: finding the right words - especially around gender identity, not wanting to cause offence, not wanting to feel awkward themselves.
• Hampshire Perspectives respondents gave ideas for how to position questions in the best way, with the introductory phrase ‘help understand what might be important to someone’s healthcare’ felt to be most suitable, especially by younger respondents and people from the LGBTQ+ community.