NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), NHS Lothian and Public Health Scotland are working in partnership to conduct a comprehensive health needs assessment of Scotland’s LGBT+ population. As part of the health needs assessment, an online survey is being conducted from 11 June to 20 August 2021. The survey is available at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ScotlandLGBT2021

This survey asks LGBT+ people aged 16 and over about all aspects of their health and wellbeing and the factors that are known to influence health including mental and emotional health, physical activity, eating, smoking, alcohol, relationships, social connections, income, experience of discrimination and experiences of services. 
 
During the last 18 months, over 180 LGBT+ people and 18 organisations have contributed to interviews and focus groups with their experiences of health and wellbeing, and their feedback has been used to develop the survey, which the partners hope LGBT+ all over Scotland will complete. 
 
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed all our lives, and this survey will also help identify how LGBT+ would like to see the health service change to better meet their needs as COVID-19 recovery progresses. 

Nicky Coia, Health Improvement Manager (Sexual Health Services), hosted by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), is leading the project on behalf of NHSGGC. Nicky said: “This survey, which is being conducted across Scotland, will help us to understand the health issues for the different parts of the LGBT+ communities in Scotland. The results will help us to ensure our health and care services understand and are able to adapt to the needs of LGBT+ communities. The results will also help inform our health improvement work and ensure we meet our HSCP Equalities Outcomes. It would be great if as many LGBT+ people, including our own staff, could complete this survey and have their voices heard.”

The survey takes on average between 20-30 minutes to complete. Participants who choose to do so can enter their details (kept separately from their survey responses) to enter a prize draw to win one of four prizes of a voucher for £250 for their preferred online retailer. 
 
The survey will provide helpful statistical information comparing the health of Scotland’s LGBT+ population to that of the general population of Scotland, as well as differences within the different parts of the LGBT+ population. 
 
On completion, the full health needs assessment results will be considered at an event to be held later in the early autumn to co-produce recommendations based on the findings with LGBT+ people and LGBT+ organisations.