Lgbtq+ veteran care | veterans affairs

CARE WE PROVIDE AT VA SALISBURY We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of all Veterans and their families. We focus on ensuring a safe and welcoming environment when providing you with

sensitive and high-quality health care services like: * Hormone therapies in limited circumstances * Substance use and alcohol treatment * Creative arts therapies * Mental health care * HIV

and STI testing, counseling, and care, including PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV * Other prevention, screening, wellness, and

testing services POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO KNOW The care coordinator can help you get started with care or with navigating any of these issues. VISITATION: A same-sex partner, family

member, friend, or other individual can be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of the patient's stay. DEFINITION OF FAMILY: "Family" may include

individual(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, different-sex and same-sex significant others. ADVANCE DIRECTIVES: Veterans may

designate any person as a decision-maker for care if they won't be able to make these decisions themselves. This includes same-sex partners. Advance directive agents are chosen by the

Veteran and do not need to be biologically related. DOCUMENTATION IN MEDICAL RECORDS: VA Salisbury maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and

gender identity, just like any other private health information. CHANGING NAME OR SEX IN RECORDS: Your name in your medical record will reflect your legal name. The sex in your medical

record should reflect your self-identified gender. You have the right to request that your name and sex are updated as appropriate. There are established procedures for changing your name

and sex with the VA Privacy Officer.