1) Has your Trust signed up to the NHS Rainbow badge project? If so, have staff been provided with the NHS Rainbow badge? If you have not signed up, have you heard of this?
Yes we have signed up although we have not yet promoted the initiative as it needs to go to the Inclusion group committee meeting on 09th Aug 2019 for a coordinated approach in implementing the NHS rainbow badge project.
2) What support is given to LGBTQ+ patients? Is there anything to show them that they are in a safe environment and can speak openly about issues and not hide who they are. If there is not, why and will there be in the future?
The Trust is committed to providing good quality, safe and personal effective care to LGBTQ+ patients, various training is provided to staff to ensure LGBTQ+ patients are treated with respect by staff they can trust and are able to talk openly with health professionals without judgement. The Trust recognises that if patients are put at ease and feel comfortable telling healthcare staff they are gay, staff can offer better advice that prevents poor health, saves costs, and ensures patients are treated with dignity and respect.
The Implementation of the Rainbow Badge initiative will give healthcare staff a way to show that their place of work offers open, non-judgemental and inclusive care for all who identify as LGBTQ+
3) Do you have any LGBTQ+ support groups for staff or a staff network in the style of those run by NHS England? If not, do you intend to do so in the future.
Currently we don’t have any staff network support groups although we are hoping to develop in the near future.
4) Do you take part in any local Pride events - either in the Parade (if there is one) or by providing information? If you do not, is there any intention to do so in the future?
We don’t take part in any local Pride events although we have intention to so in the future.
5) Have you held any inclusivity events? If so, what LGBTQ+ event/representation was part of it?
We held for the first time a Festival of Inclusion Mon 29th April 2019 till Friday 3rd May 2019 and the festival was open to all staff, patients, visitors and public.