Ethics: nursing care of gay and lesbian patients

Work currently being undertaken by the Royal College of Nursing's Lesbian and Gay Nursing Issues Working Party has revealed evidence of prejudice towards, and discrimination against, lesbian and gay patients by members of the nursing and medical professions. In addition, there are instances when the specific nursing needs of this population have not been met due to lack of knowledge on the part of practitioners. Lesbians and gay men who have mental health problems are particularly vulnerable to abuse from homophobic health care workers. Lesbian and gay teenagers are even more vulnerable, and they run the added risk of being labelled mentally ill because of behaviour which is considered socially undesirable. This article discusses the research evidence and highlights the need for further investigation into providing appropriate and acceptable services to these patients.