Tejal Somvanshi
The NHS has launched its first-ever review to tackle health inequalities experienced by LGBT+ people. Announced on July 29, 2025, this six-month investigation aims to improve access to mental health care, cancer screening, and primary care services.
Dr. Michael Brady, National Adviser for LGBT+ Health at NHS England, will lead the review examining data from mental health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV, perinatal care, and cancer screening services. The review will also assess smoking, alcohol, and drug prevention programs.
“It’s unacceptable that LGBT+ people have a poorer overall experience of health services, which leads to worse health outcomes,” said Dr. Brady. This review will be the first to deeply examine these issues and recommend solutions.
Evidence shows LGBT+ people face worse healthcare access and outcomes than the general population. The 2018 national LGBT survey revealed poor access to mental health services, while the GP Patient Survey found LGBT+ respondents have higher rates of mental health conditions and report more negative experiences with doctors.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized: “For too many LGBT+ people, accessing quality healthcare remains a challenge, marked by discrimination, misunderstanding, and miseducation.” He added that through the government’s Plan for Change, they’re “not just rebuilding our NHS, we’re building it back better for everyone.”
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The review comes after April 2024’s Cass Review, which examined gender identity services for young people. That review led to changes in transgender healthcare, including restrictions on puberty blockers for those under 18 outside clinical trials.
In a related development, King’s College London is launching a major study on transgender and gender non-conforming young people. This NHS-funded study will follow up to 3,000 young people to gather evidence on care outcomes, directly responding to evidence gaps highlighted by the Cass Review.
The LGBT+ health inequalities review aligns with the 10-Year Health Plan, focusing on three shifts: moving care from hospitals to communities, emphasizing prevention over treatment, and transitioning from analog to digital services.
The NHS is calling on academics, clinicians, public health professionals, and organizations to submit data for analysis. Final recommendations will be presented to the Health Secretary in December 2025.
Joan Saddler of the NHS Confederation welcomed the review: “Everyone deserves a positive healthcare experience and we are deeply concerned that LGBTQ+ people face significant health inequalities.”
This review aims to create a more inclusive healthcare system where every patient receives dignity, respect, and excellent care, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
