Hospital earns healthcare designation

MIDDLETOWN — Middlesex Hospital has, once again, earned the “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, according to a press release.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ( civil rights organization, and the Hospital earned this designation because it scored well on the foundation’s annual Healthcare Equality Index. This index assesses healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.

Of the 626 healthcare facilities that actively participated in this year’s survey, 418 earned the “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation.

Middlesex Hospital is very proud of its “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation. It shows that the Hospital lives its mission and that it works to provide safe, high quality health care and the best experience possible to all members of its community.

While Middlesex has always welcomed and treated everyone, it began offering a formal transgender program in 2016 and has built a program that positively impacts the community it serves. Its network of medical providers works with transgendered persons to meet specific needs, and services are coordinated throughout the Health System. Policies, procedures and practices were revised, facility issues were addressed and education on transgender matters were provided to the staff and community. The Hospital also leads a gender discussion group, which is free and open to the public.

“Being named a ‘Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality’ is certainly an honor, but we also view it as our responsibility,” says Middlesex CEO and President Vincent G. Capece, Jr. “We are responsible for caring for all of our neighbors, and it is a responsibility that we take seriously.”