Hospital staff across Hampshire are showing their support for their LGBT+ colleagues and patients, with the introduction of the NHS Rainbow Badge at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The badge provides staff with a way to show that their place of work offers open, non-judgemental and inclusive care for all who identify as LGBT+, and acts as visual symbol identifying the person wearing it as someone who is there to listen.
Over 600 members of staff across the Trust, which runs hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester, have already committed to the project, signing a pledge to acknowledge the responsibility of wearing a badge and promoting inclusivity at Hampshire Hospitals.
The Rainbow Badge initiative first began at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, and has since been adopted by hospitals across the country.
Members of staff from a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles within the Trust all joined in with a series of pledge parties held to launch the initiative, complete with rainbow flags and rainbow coloured sweet treats.
Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals, said: “We work hard to create an environment for our staff, patients and visitors that is supportive, open and inclusive, so I am thrilled we have introduced this fantastic initiative into our hospitals.
“We have an incredible, diverse range of staff who give their all to care for our patients and it’s important that we do everything we can to support them.
“I hope this small act can make a big difference to break down any barriers LGBT+ people may face within the NHS.”
