A NSW Government website
Sydney Local Health District is home to one of Australia's biggest LGBTIQ+ communities and is committed to delivering the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-2027.
Our large workforce consists of LGBTIQ+ community members, families and allies. We provide health services to one of the largest LGBTIQ+ populations in NSW.
How we support the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities
We have a long history of supporting the health of LGBTIQ+ communities in a range of service areas and settings. Including our HIV response from the outset of the epidemic in Sydney with HIV testing and treatment; HIV Community Allied Health services; the only HIV Dementia residential facility in the world; and hosting the state-wide Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service and Pozhet Service for heterosexual people living with HIV.
We are proud to support our LGBTIQ+ families and young people through our Rainbow Families Antenatal classes and our Youthblock youth health service.
We value and work closely with our LGBTIQ+ community partners – The Gender Centre, ACON and Twenty 10.
The NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-2027 provides direction to all NSW Health organisations and staff, to deliver the best care to LGBTIQ+ people and work with them to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. This includes the health, wellbeing and safety of our health staff who are LGBTIQ+.
The Strategy’s vision is for LGBTIQ+ people in NSW to receive high quality, safe, inclusive and responsive healthcare that delivers outcomes that matter to them.
Priority population focus areas under the strategy include:
Sydney Local Health District was the first in NSW with a dedicated role to improve health services for LGBTIQ+ people.
As part of our LGBTIQ+ inclusion work we will:
What matters to you, matters to us. To provide feedback on your experience in one of our hospitals or services, please contact our Patient and Family Experience Officers.
If you are interested in getting involved as an LGBTIQ+ community member, please contact our Consumer and Community Participation team for details.
| Resources and Supports | Find a collection of resources and supports for LGBTIQ+ communities on NSW Health website. |
| NSW Health LGBTIQ+ Health | A range of helpful resources for health professionals and LGBTIQ+ communities are available here. |
| LGBTIQ+ mental health and suicide prevention supports | If you’ve noticed any friends or family that aren’t acting themselves or you see signs that they might be struggling, check in with them and remember to seek mental health or suicide prevention support if you feel concerned. |
| LGBTIQ+ Community Organisations | NSW Health works in partnership with LGBTIQ+ people and organisations to address health needs, service access, and quality healthcare experiences. |
| LGBTIQ+ Language and Terminology | Language and terminology are important to LGBTIQ+ people, as they support recognition, trust and safety. Terminology to describe bodies, gender and sexualities also changes over time. |
| The Specialist Trans and Gender Diverse Health Service for people aged under 25 | To enhance existing services, NSW Health is developing a coordinated, statewide Specialist Trans and Gender Diverse Health Service (TGD Health Service) to provide gender affirming health care for people aged under 25. |
