SummitCare Over the Rainbow

Delivering an LGBTI-inclusive service that ensures the best possible support for customers and their loved ones is a major focus for New South Wales aged care provider, SummitCare.

The organisation, which offers residential aged care, home care, day centre and respite care throughout Sydney and Newcastle, is determined to address the needs of its current and future lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex customers through the development of its practices.

SummitCare’s Randwick’s operations manager and LGBTI Officer, Barry Cowling, is leading the organisation in this process, “We believe LGBTI ageing is an experience that warrants particular attention,” he says.

“In many cases, people have experienced discrimination, rejection or isolation. SummitCare aims to enhance the wellbeing of all our customers and we want to ensure LGBTI people always feel welcome and can age with dignity and without fear.”

SummitCare is actively working towards receiving a Rainbow Tick, a world-first accreditation developed by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria that is awarded to organisations that demonstrate LGBTI-inclusive practice and service delivery.

“We would like to be one of the first NSW aged care providers to be awarded the Rainbow Tick, which means we have successfully met standards in organisational capability, consumer consultation, GLBTI cultural safety, disclosure and documentation, professional development, and access and intake,” Barry says.

Barry is currently undertaking GLHV’s HOW2 program to help SummitCare meet the standards.

“We have also been surveying staff to identify the training and support needs of SummitCare, and pinpointing exactly where we can enhance our service for LGBTI people,” Barry says.

“Our overall goal is meeting the needs of people who identify as LGBTI, and their families and loved ones, both now and into the future. Ensuring we are always incorporating LGBTI-inclusive practices in our work means we are well on the way to reaching that goal.”

Click here to find out more about SummitCare's aged care services.