We’ve had lots of activities taking place this week to mark the relaunch of our LGBT+ staff network

It all kicked off with a relaunch event, held at Queen’s Hospital on Monday (11 November). As well as network members and other members of staff, Dr Michael Brady, national advisor for LGBT health, and David Sloman, NHS Regional Director for London, attended.

Dr Brady said: “It was a real pleasure to be here to support the relaunch of the LGBT+ staff network, which is so important to promote a more inclusive organisation.

“Organisations which are more inclusive of their staff, are more inclusive for their patients and there are less inequalities in the care provided. From all the hospitals I visit, I can see how important networks like these are, and this one is amazing, so I was really keen to show my support.”

Mr Sloman added: “I’m really pleased to be here. I’ve worked in London my whole career and the reason I took this job is because I think London is the best city in the world, and the NHS is the best healthcare in the world, so it’s an absolute privilege.

“One of the reasons London is so great, is because it’s a tolerant city where we embrace and rejoice difference. Could we run the NHS without LGBT people? Or BME people? No. This is about how we work and live together as Londoners.

“What I’ve learned throughout my career is the journey we have taken and the progress we have made is due to the power of networks.”

Our network, which held a hugely successful event to mark Pride in June this year, is there to support our as well as provide a more inclusive atmosphere across our hospitals, which in turn, is better for our patients.

Other events this week included launching a dual rainbow and BHRUT lanyard for staff to wear and ward visits to ensure all staff are involved in the relaunch.

We changed its uniform policy to allow staff to wear rainbow lanyards in support of our LGBT+ community. And almost 1,000 staff across our Trust have also made a pledge and received a special rainbow badge to show their support since they were launched earlier this year.

Pictured are David Sloman and Michael Brady with the Chair of the LGBT+ network, Victoria Miles-Gale and our interim Chief Executive, Chris Bown.