Meet Maëlly Bellm. Maëlly, a midwife at Joan Kirner Women and Children’s, has recently taken on the role of Western Health’s very first Gender and Sexuality Liaison Clinician.
This new role is a part of a pilot project to improve affirming practices and inclusion for LGBTIQA+ communities. 
Provide clinical leadership, secondary consultation and expert advice, where appropriate, on affirming practice for LGBTIQA+ communities
Lead efforts to improve staff capability in inclusive models of care and sensitive service provision
Provide information and be part of a feedback loop back to the organisation about the experience of people accessing services
Collaborate with clinicians, multi-disciplinary teams, and lived experience staff to improve safety and responsiveness across the service
Build staff understanding of the importance of affirming and trauma informed care and clinical responses to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-Binary, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, Asexual, Sistergirl, Brotherboy, (+) communities who access our services
Support rainbow communities accessing Western Health services
Provide peer-support to staff, consumers and their families
Maëlly said the role is multifaceted, but ultimately will lead to a better outcome for patients and a supportive workplace for staff.
“There are so many ways I can provide support in this role, from sitting in on consultations as a support person to a patient to providing advice to the medical team when treating someone from the LGBTIQA+ community. This might be helping them understand pronouns, or educating them on language to use.” Maëlly also highlighted the support she can provide to Western Health staff who may be going through their own gender or sexuality journey.
Maëlly is a proud queer woman who has been an active member of the LGBTIQA+ committee at Western Health for many years. “I already have so much experience working with patients from the LGBTIQA+ community, and the foundation understanding and knowledge. I’m excited to share this across Western Health and build a safer health service for people accessing care."
“There is a knowledge gap and we are working towards closing it,” she said.
Please get in touch, or refer consumers who would benefit from any of the support Maëlly can provide by emailing [email protected].
