NHS South Yorkshire has launched the Rainbow Badge initiative as part of 2024's LGBT+ History Month.
Members of staff across the region have been signing up to wear a specially designed NHS rainbow badge to show support for all who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all other identities.
The Rainbow Badge gives our staff a way to show that NHS South Yorkshire offers open, non-judgmental and inclusive care for patients and their families, who identify as LGBTQ+.
Despite the progress made towards LGBTQ+ equality in recent years, many LGBTQ+ people still face significant barriers to leading healthy, happy and fulfilling lives, with high rates of poor mental health and challenges when accessing healthcare a contributing factor.
Dr David Crichton, local GP and Medical Director at NHS South Yorkshire said: “Simple visible symbols can make a big difference for people to make them feel more at ease with disclosing their sexuality or gender identity.
“It shows that the wearer is there to listen without judgement, and is aware of the issues that LGBTQ+ people can face when accessing healthcare.”
“The rainbow badges symbolise the recognition that, as people who work in healthcare, we can play a key role in making things better for all patients, regardless of how they define themselves.”
“By choosing to wear the NHS rainbow badge, our staff members are showing support and providing a sign that they can be approached without fear of judgement or intolerance.”
A recent survey published by Stonewall stated that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) patients face inequalities in their experience of NHS healthcare. The survey estimates that one in five LGBTQ+ people have not come out to any healthcare professional about their sexual orientation when seeking general medical care, and one in seven LGBTQ+ people have avoided treatment for fear of discrimination.
The rainbow badge initiative was first introduced by staff at Evelina London Children’s Hospital and has since been adopted by many NHS organisations across the country.