Q&A

Why is NHS interested in people’s sexual orientation?

Under the Equality Act 2010, all public bodies are obliged to enshrine antidiscrimination in their policies. NHS England has decided it needs to know how many lesbian, gay and bisexual [LGB] patients it has so it cannot be accused of discriminating against them. The guidance applies to doctors and nurses, as well as local councils responsible for adult social care. NHS England points to studies that suggest that LGB people have worse health than heterosexual people. In particular, they can suffer poorer mental health, higher risk of self-harm and suicide, increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, and a higher use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco with a greater likelihood of addiction.

How will collecting this information help?

By collecting statistics on how many LGB people are on its books, the NHS can assess whether they are being treated fairly compared to heterosexual people. It could also show whether special programmes are needed to target LGB people for particular health problems.

Will all NHS trusts be forced to make doctors ask patients about their sexuality?

NHS England said it will ask all trusts to carry out the quiz, but they can opt out. However, they will still be asked to prove they can comply with the Equality Act requirements.

When will it start?

The NHS said it will begin carrying out the quiz in England from April 2019. The answers will be kept on computers.

Will the information be secure?

The NHS aims to keep patient medical information safe – but computer experts say no system can be 100 per cent safe from hackers. The NHS has been hit by a string of data scandals where private medical records have been lost.