National Ambulance LGBT+ Network
Supporting Trans People
More than any other area within the LGBT+ acronym we know that lives of transgender and non-binary people are the most challenges. For this reason we are working hard to make sure we have information to support trans patients who need our services and also support our trans staff.
The three main areas of focus are:
Helping staff to understand what Gender Dysphoria is and what impact it has on trans people. Gender Dysphoria is very often inappropriately classified as a mental illness and I would like to share stories of people from the transgender community so people can understand the issues much better.
We want to continually update awareness information so that is represents current legislation and developments that have been identified by the Government’s LGBT Action Plan. We can expect to see significant changes in the near future and we can all become more informed so that we can deliver a more effective service.
Finally, moving away from ‘transgender’, we also want to increase awareness of issues for non-binary staff and patients. The aim is to raise awareness and ensure that ambulance staff throughout the United Kingdom are well informed and set up to deliver the best care available.
Z-Card Leaflet
In August 2021, Deliveroo donated £2,000 to the National Ambulance LGBT Network to fund the production of an additional 10,000 printed Supporting Trans People z-card leaflets. These leaflets will be made available to LGBT staff network across the UK ambulance services, who will in turn make them available to operational ambulance staff.
Alistair Gunn, Chair of the National Ambulance LGBT Network, said, 'This is show of support from Deliveroo and helps us to achieve our ambition to get one of these small leaflets into the pocket of every operational ambulance person in the UK. This generous donation has potential to change the experience of transgender patients who sometimes report receiving inappropriate or clumsy care from uninformed ambulance staff.'
The cards have been carefully designed to be small enough to carry around but contain all the essential bits of information that can help ambulance workers do a better job. This includes understanding terminology and correct terms to use, right through to understanding good practice guidance and unique clinical presentations.
The cards have the rainbow 'deloveroo' logo on the reverse side, which is used by Deliveroo's own LGBT network.
Download or Print a Leaflet
You can download a copy of our z-card leaflet entitled Supporting Trans People, in English, Dyslexia friendly (English), Welsh, Polish or Dutch using the links below.
Call Handler Guidance
The sheet below outlines simple guidance to help call takers understand how they can provide good care to transgender people.
Understanding Trans Service Users
This informative research report was originally written by a Paramedic at Yorkshire Ambulance Service whilst on light duties in 2017. In considers the health inequalities of trans people, looks at the experiences of 18 people who had interacted with the service and makes some recommendations for positive change.
The original report has been updated at the start of 2019 to consider some of the resources that have been created by the National Ambulance LGBT Network to help ensure trans patients receive more appropriate and compassionate care from our Ambulance Services.
The report has been well received by trans community groups in Yorkshire and we really recommend having a read of this importnant research.
Yearly Trans Events
Every year the 31 March is Transgender Day of Visibility which recognises the lives of trans people and raises awareness of the health inequalities that still exist.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Every year the 20 November is Transgender Day of Remembrance which honours the many people who have lost their lives to transphobia.
The link below is to a previous briefing sheet, it provides some useful facts and suggestions for how you can recognise this important day.
Trans Star of Life
The trans star of life has been designed to show our support for trans issues and we hope people will wear them with pride.
Victims of Sexual Violence
The LGBT Foundation in Manchester have produced a set of resources to help people affected by sexual violence. The aim of the resources are to provide an overview of the basics and help find support. The publication 'A Guide to Trans People Affected by Sexual Violence' is included below.