Sheffield Children's Hospital joins NHS Rainbow Badge scheme to offer LGBT+ inclusive care
The NHS rainbow badge acts as indicator that the wearer believes they are a safe person to speak to about issues surrounding sexuality and gender identity.
More than 40 per cent of Sheffield Children’s Hospital staff have elected to take a badge at launch – and more are being encouraged to sign up for the scheme as an opportunity to send a positive message.
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Hide AdRuth Brown, SCH NHS Trust deputy chief executive, said: “The rainbow badge scheme is a great opportunity for patients being cared for at our trust to know that staff are aware of issues LGBT+ people can face when accessing healthcare.
“We are always working to make sure our environment is somewhere young people and their families feel listened to and comfortable to talk about the issues affecting them.
“Wearing the badge is one of the steps we’re taking to make sure Sheffield Children’s is an open, non-judgemental place.”
Before donning the badge, staff complete an online learning programme covering the challenges LGBT+ young people face and the local and national resources available to support them.
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Hide AdAccording to a 2017 report from the campaign charity Stonewall, just 40 per cent of LGBT+ young people have an adult at home they can talk to about being LGBT+.
The report said: “Openly LGBT+ role models and allies play a crucial role in supporting LGBT+ young people to be themselves.”
Sheffield’s LGBT+ youth charity SAYiT is supporting the trust with the scheme.
A spokesman said: “LGBT+ people still experience significant health inequalities, so we are delighted Sheffield Children’s is taking positive action to address them with this project.
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Hide Ad“People attending SAYiT’s youth groups tell us they often feel they will be judged when they access healthcare, or do not feel they can be open about who they are. We want them to be respected and allowed to be their true selves wherever they go.”
“On behalf of SAYiT and our young people, I thank every single badge wearer for making this vision more possible.”