Two San Luis Obispo County hospitals earned the title of “LGBTQ+ Health Care Equality Leader.”
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton completed an assessment by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Participants are assessed on four criteria: non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement.
Both hospitals received perfect scores.
“When we tell patients that they are in a safe space at Tenet Health Central Coast hospitals, we mean in it in every sense, including safe from bigotry and ignorance. The HEI Leader designation for both our hospitals confirms we provide equitable care, in an environment that is welcoming and affirming,” said Mark Lisa, the CEO of Tenet Health Central Coast.
Tenet Health officials say LGBTQ people experience well-documented discrimination in health care settings, which can discourage them from seeking care.
