Pride (also known as Gay Pride or LGBT Pride) is the positive stance against discrimination towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) people to promote self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance. In all, Pride supports and promotes most LGBT rights movements throughout the world through optimism and inclusivity.
Recognising the difference the health service can make in this area, increasing awareness amongst clinicians of the issues surrounding people of all genders and sexualities when accessing service can make a huge difference in the quality of hospital care and treatment, as well as an individual’s experience. As such, DBTH is committed to ensuring the Trust is as inclusive and supportive as possible.
Underlining this ambition, doctors, nurses and other health professionals at DBTH now have the opportunity to sign a ‘Pride Pledge’ and receive a rainbow-themed NHS badge.
The voluntary document and colourful pin are designed to help foster an atmosphere where patients and colleagues alike feel comfortable discussing their sexuality and gender identity. This doesn’t mean staff have all the answers or are experts in this particular area, but that they are prepared to listen, support and signpost to relevant information.
Karen Barnard, Director of People and Organisational Development at DBTH, said: “Ensuring we are inclusive and supportive as a Trust is incredibly important. As an organisation which employs almost 7,000 members of staff, it is vitally important that we celebrate the diversity and individuality which makes us so strong as a team. By signing the Pride Pledge, colleagues are signalling to patients, as well as to each other, that we are an open and accepting organisation.
In just three days, the Trust saw over 1,000 colleagues sign up to the Pride Pledge, receiving their rainbow badge as a result. This included the Trust’s Chief Executive, Richard Parker OBE, Chair of the Board, Suzy Brain England OBE, as a well the organisation’s Executive Team, amongst hundreds of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of the Board, said: “As a Trust we are proud to support Pride and, like our local NHS partners, are committed to ensuring we are an LGBTQ+ friendly employer. As an anchor employer within the area, it’s essential that we celebrate the diversity of our workforce and strive to ensure we are inclusive and respectful of the many communities we proudly serve.”
“As a Trust we are keen to increase the diversity of our Board of Directors to better mirror our local communities and as such we welcome applications from individuals of any sexuality, race or religious background. We will soon be recruiting to two new Non-Executive Director posts and would encourage all local residents to keep an eye out when the positions goes out to advert.”
DBTH, alongside local NHS partners in the area, also recently supported Doncaster Pride which took place on 17 August 2019.