GETTY Doctors are being urged to display rainbow flags around waiting rooms to be more welcoming

FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

In addition to displaying a flag, NHS policy advisers also suggested that medics be given lessons on how to speak the LGBT community to avoid cause offence by using “heteronormative phrases and assumptions”. The Human Rights Campaign logo, as well as “LGBT friendly” leaflets, should also be distributed to encourage more people to disclose their sexuality, according to the experts. They also believe it could encourage gay and bisexual patients to come out to their doctor. Controversial new NHS guidelines were announced last year where patients will be asked about their sexuality as a matter of course. Health chiefs argue that gay, bisexual and other LGBT people are at greater risk of certain conditions, such as mental ill-health, and that knowing their orientation is important for their care.

GETTY Experts believe it could encourage gay and bisexual patients to come out to their doctor

This latest LGBT guidance was published the monthly British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) which is sent to more than 50,000 doctors and researchers. The BJGP study said: “There are some changes that are easily implemented and inexpensive, including displaying signs or symbols that convey an accepting atmosphere, such as a rainbow symbol or the Human Rights Campaign logo.” It also advises GPs to avoid “heteronormative phrases and assumptions” such as referring to a patient’s partner as “he” or “she”, rather than asking the gender. Several Tory MPs have rubbished the idea of displaying rainbow flags in waiting rooms, describing it as “pointless”. Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Elmet and Rothwell, said: “Patients can complain if they feel discriminated against. Hanging a flag is pointless.”

Meanwhile, his Tory colleague Philip Davies commented: “If they spent as much time on treating patients and less time flexing their politically correct muscles, they might get somewhere.” And MP for North West Leicestershire, Andrew Bridgen blasted: “You would have thought doctors would have higher priorities than pandering to the PC brigade — particularly when the NHS is under so much pressure.” However, professor Kamila Hawthorne, of the Royal College of GPs, said: “We want all patients to feel welcome. “If surgeries find that displaying a rainbow symbol in their practice encourages LGBT patients to seek medical attention when they need it, then that’s a good thing.”

LGBT+ popstars: 17 gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans musicians Sat, July 8, 2017 These popstars are all paving the way for LGBT+ visibility in pop music. Play slideshow GETTY 1 of 18 There are more visibly LGBT+ popstars than ever before