A Bradford partnership has been praised by Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, for helping the UK create a fairer and more equal society in the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All.

The Bradford Equity Partnership carried out a comprehensive survey of the health needs of Bradford's lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) community in April this year.

It aimed to discover the wider picture of LGB health needs, rather than the narrow frame of sexual and mental health, drug and alcohol misuse which is sometimes associated with this community.

The results are being used to produce a detailed profile of the health needs of the community, to raise awareness of LGB health needs and influence the improvement of services.

The Equity Partnership was keen to challenge homophobia amongst health staff and to recognise that the LGB community, like any other section of society, is influenced by age, disability, race, religion and gender, all of which influence health outcomes and experiences.

The survey was carried out with support from Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Council and the University of Bradford.

Sarah Williams, the LGB health worker responsible for the survey, said: "About half of the LGB patients surveyed said they concealed information about their sexuality from health professionals and this can have an impact on the treatment they receive.

"It's important health professionals are also aware that friends rather than family may play the more significant role in supporting LGB patients.

"Crucially for health workers is the importance of confidentiality and not making assumptions about who someone may or may not be 'out' to.

"The report provides detailed information on the health needs and experiences of the LGB community. It includes information on cervical smears, checking for breast and testicular cancer, the impact of sexuality on mental health, and the incidence of same-sex domestic violence.

"The report is a significant first step in raising awareness and contains both general and service-specific recommendations, which will enable health organisations to provide services sensitive to the needs of the LGB community."

The European Year of Equal Opportunities for All marks a major debate on the benefits of diversity across Europe and aims to make Europeans more aware of their rights to enjoy equal treatment and a life free of discrimination.

Feedback will be used to inform the future work of the new Equality and Human Rights Commission, whose chairman Trevor Phillips said: "Projects such as this - and many others like it in Yorkshire and the Humber - are bringing communities together and tackling issues faced by some of the people encountering the greatest inequalities.

"It's also important to recognise The European Year Of Equal Opportunities For All.

"It is clear from the people and projects I've met during the year that equal opportunities affects all of us in one way or another in the different stages of our lives - whether we are parents, carers or workers, elderly people or children."