On Monday 15th September, OUTpatients attended the NHS LGBT+ Health Conference at King’s College Hospital, London. The event brought together clinicians, academics, policymakers and community organisations to explore innovation and best practice in LGBTIQ+ health across the NHS.

The day covered a wide range of topics, from digital transformation and inclusive data collection, to cervical screening access for trans and non-binary people. It was encouraging to see recent developments in LGBTIQ+ cancer care being celebrated. It was also a welcome opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new people working towards more inclusive healthcare for our community.

OUTpatients’ Policy and Education Manager, Lee, spoke about the impact of education for healthcare professionals on improving patient care and professional confidence. They shared learnings and insights from OUTpatients’ work to educate professionals, and celebrated our recent milestone of reaching over 10,000 people with our sessions since 2021. Their talk also highlighted the value of small specialist LGBTIQ+ organisations, and the importance of co-production and collaboration in shaping interventions that truly meet the needs of LGBTIQ+ communities.

Throughout the day, there were thoughtful discussions about how to embed inclusive practices across NHS services. While some sessions showcased promising approaches, others revealed gaps in implementation and provision for our community. The need for better integration of LGBTIQ+ people into broader health strategies was clear, and several attendees raised concerns about how easily LGBTIQ+ communities can be deprioritised without sustained advocacy and investment.

While the day offered space for learning and connection, it also served as a reminder that there is still work to be done. LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer must not be lost as a priority and, at this challenging time for our community across the UK, continued effort is needed to ensure that inclusive care is embedded across all parts of the NHS.