PSA partner in PRIDE project, supporting safe and inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ Australians

28 June 2024

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proudly partnering with the University of Queensland (UQ) to foster inclusive and empowered primary care workforces through the Promoting queer-inclusive professional identities for diversity in primary healthcare (PRIDE co-design) project.

Funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the PRIDE project aims to make affirming care more accessible through a national network of empowered LGBTQIA+ practitioners and allies, building capacity of the mainstream primary care sector to address the health needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in a safe and inclusive way.

The project will work with a range of peak professional bodies to deliver tailored education to health professionals. As a PRIDE project partner, PSA will offer education and resources to help pharmacists improve the care they provide LGBTQIA+ patients, starting with a session at PSA’s national conference in August.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said there is still a long way to go to addressing health inequalities for LGBTQIA+ Australians.

“Everyone has the right to safe, affirming health care,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“57% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have reported discrimination due to their sexual orientation, and almost 80% of people who are trans or gender diverse had experienced discrimination due to their gender identity. Stigma and discrimination in the health care context contributes to greater health disparities experienced by LGBTQIA+ communities and can lead to delaying or avoiding healthcare entirely.

“As some of the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists have a duty of care to patients to ensure that healthcare is provided in a way that is inclusive and appropriate for all people.

“PSA strongly believes in the potential of PRIDE co-design project to have a transformative impact on the development of inclusive and affirming models of care for LGBTQIA+ people experiencing intersectional disadvantage within our health care system.

“We are proud to be working with Dr Ross and her team to provide pharmacists with the resources and training needed to promote truly person-centred care,” A/Prof Sim concluded.

PRIDE Project leader and Chief Investigator Dr Megan Ross highlighted the importance of creating a culture of safe and supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ health practitioners, too.

“Building the capacity of the primary health workforce to deliver safe and affirming care has to include creating safe and inclusive environments for health providers. Too often we see trans and queer practitioners exit the workforce, we need a culture of inclusion that supports LGBTQIA+ practitioners to remain in the workforce and provide safe and affirming care to the community,” Dr Ross said.

“Building multi-disciplinary, connected and trusted network of safe and affirming providers addresses a current gap in primary care.

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“A multi-disciplinary affirming provider network will facilitate access to continuous, trustable safe and affirming care across the primary care landscape for LGBTQIA+ consumers, and support LGBTQIA+ practitioners to feel safe and supported in their workplaces.”

Delegates attending PSA24 will have the opportunity to connect with the PRIDE Project during the session Does the pharmacy profession get a rainbow tick? presented by Professor Lisa Nissen and Dr Jean Spinks on Sunday 4 August, 2024.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au