East Sussex to welcome UK's first dedicated LGBTQ+ hospice

A groundbreaking initiative is underway in East Sussex to establish the UK's first hospice specifically dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. The Sussex Beacon, a Brighton-based charity renowned for its support of individuals living with HIV, is spearheading this landmark development, poised to transform palliative care for queer individuals.

In collaboration with the National Health Service (NHS), The Sussex Beacon's hospice will deliver comprehensive and inclusive palliative care, with a specialized focus on HIV-related needs. Rachel Brett, CEO of The Sussex Beacon, emphasized the hospice's ambition to serve as "a national resource, helping other hospices improve their services for LGBTQ+ patients," as stated in a recent press release.

The initiative responds to the findings of a 2023 Hospice UK report, "I Just Want to Be Me," which highlighted the challenges faced by trans and gender-diverse individuals within healthcare settings, including experiences of unwelcoming environments, identity misrecognition, and substandard care. "The Sussex Beacon is uniquely placed to change that," Brett affirmed.

NHS Sussex has expressed strong support for the project. Dr. Amy Dissanayake, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, noted that the hospice's "experience in providing specialist community care for people living with HIV is invaluable and fully supports our ambition to bring care out of hospitals where possible and into communities."

Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, lauded The Sussex Beacon's enduring contributions to the local community. "I've spoken with so many service users who said they owed everything to the Beacon," Ward stated, "so I'm delighted that this new service model means it can continue to provide excellent HIV services and hospice care across Sussex."

While expanding its services to encompass hospice care, The Sussex Beacon assures that its existing community-based HIV support programs will remain integral. The organization is committed to facilitating referrals and connections to other specialists, ensuring holistic and personalized care for all patients.