As part of our commitment to being a diverse and inclusive employer and care provider, we signed up to the national rainbow badge scheme in October 2019.

A recent Stonewall survey* estimates that one in five LGBT+ people are not ‘out’ to any healthcare professional about their sexual orientation when seeking general medical care. It also found that one in seven LGBT+ people have avoided treatment for fear of discrimination.

Despite the progress made towards LGBT+ equality in recent years, many LGBT+ 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.

The NHS Rainbow Badge was created by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, in partnership with Evelina London Children’s Hospital. The badge is a special rainbow edition of the NHS logo (known as the ‘lozenge’). Badges are handed to NHS staff who have pledged to reduce inequalities and provide support and signposting to LGBT+ people.

By signing up, we are showing that our Trust offers open, non-judgmental and inclusive support and care for all, regardless of how people identify themselves. Five other local NHS organisations also signed up to the scheme: NHS Bradford district and Craven CCGs, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (AFT) and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT).

If you see someone wearing a rainbow badge

If you see one of our staff wearing a rainbow badge, they have made an informed choice to do so. This means you can be sure they are a friendly ear, willing to listen without judgment and will know how to signpost to the support available. So please don’t be afraid to talk to them.

Darryll Monroe, advanced nurse practitioner prescriber and chair of the LGBT+ Staff Network at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust was involved in developing the initiative locally and said: “The rainbow badge initiative is a powerful way of demonstrating our commitment to being inclusive and celebrating diversity across our Trust and our wider healthcare system, both to our patients and our staff.

“Everyone is equal and deserves to be treated with compassion and respect. Wearing the badge is my commitment to making that happen – and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. Valuing and using the talents, expertise and knowledge of all our staff is a key driver for our Trust that will help us be the best place to work and to deliver services that meet the needs of our diverse population.”

Support and advice

Local

National

  • National charity Stonewall offers resources to support LGBT+ people.

  • LGBT Foundation provides a wide range of support services to LGBT+ people.

  • The Albert Kennedy Trust provides support for LGBT+ people who are homeless or living in a hostile home environment.

  • Gendered Intelligence is a not-for-profit community interest company aiming to increase understanding of gender diversity. 

  • The charity Mermaids works to raise awareness about gender nonconformity in children and young people.

  • The Proud Trust provides LGBT+ youth information.

  • Gay farmers’ helpline offers someone to talk to who understands the farming situation as well as what it is like to be gay – call 07837 931 894 or email: info@gayfarmer.co.uk

  • LGBT Foundation’s advice, support and information telephone: 0345 3 30 30 30.

  • Juno Dawson’s ‘This Book is Gay’ is a guide to sexuality and gender for young people, written by a young adult author and available to buy online.