LGBTQ+ Inclusive Practice

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At Castlegate & Derwent Surgery we are committed to ensuring people feel confident to use our services no matter who you are and we are committed to making sure all our patients feel supported and listened to. We are a safe space and will offer provide discrete, confidential information and advice.

Our Aims

• Try our very best to book appointment with the same clinician for continuity of care.
• Communicate well in a positive way to allow our LGBTQ+ patients to use our service with confidence.
• We will address patients by their preferred name, title and pronoun- we will never assume and will always ask your preference, recording this on your medical record so we do not need to ask you next time but please feel free to let us know if any of these details change.
• We are working with local support groups and can signpost you to these services.
• If we make a mistake- please excuse us and we will always apologise.
• If you think we can do something better, please let us know.

Health Screening

It is important that we have information about your gender identity and sexual orientation as this may allow us to invite you to appropriate health screening for you.

Breast cancer screening, cervical smear screening, abdominal aortic screening and bowel cancer invitations are gender specific, so if you are transgender you may not be invited to the correct screening unless you let us know.

Sexual Health

Your GP may need to be aware of your sexual orientation in order to give you the best possible care for your medical problem.

If your GP is made aware of your sexual orientation and gender identity this can help identify your health care needs. Only you can decide if you would like to share with us what sexual identity best describes you.

By asking you these questions we are trying to become more inclusive as a practice and allow patients to self-disclose this information, if you choose to and improve health outcomes as a result. Please speak to a member of our Reception team for details of how to do this, we will be shortly creating a form that you can collect from our Reception and also a facility to do this online from our website.

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More resources and local groups

• OutREACH Cumbria: OutREACH Cumbria, the county’s main service provider for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* support, advise and engagement in Cumbria. We work county wide and are here to help anyone within Cumbria, and the surrounding areas, as much as we can. We have a range of different services, groups, projects and opportunities on offer.
• PINC- Pride in North Cumbria: Pride in North Cumbria (PiNC) provides support services and a safe social group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans', questioning and other people; aged between 13 and 25 years
• LGBT Foundation: Need support? We're here if you need us. LGBT Foundation provide a wide range of support services to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. We also work with healthcare and other professionals to help make public services more accessible and inclusive for LGBT communities.
• Stonewall: We stand for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people everywhere. We imagine a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to be ourselves and can live our lives to the full.
• NHS: Provides lots of useful information on a range of topics
• Cockermouth Leisure Centre: We are working with our local leisure centre situated on Castlegate Drive, they provide some fantastic facilities including swimming pool, gym, studio, climbing wall and a huge variety of classes. The centre is open to all, inclusive to all communities and will make everyone feel welcome. We encourage all our patients to get involved with healthy living and what better way than to take up a new exercise routine.