Pride Month 2023

Pride Month 2023

LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June is dedicated to promoting dignity, self-affirmation, equality, and visibility of LGBTQ+ People. It started after the stonewall riots in America but spread worldwide.

People in the LGBTQ+ community face many challenges throughout their lives, and this year in particular has felt difficult for LGBTQ+ People in the UK. We know LGBTQ+ people historically have worse healthcare outcomes than others. Trans people experience challenges in accessing quality healthcare due to lack of understanding of trans health needs, and the threat of discrimination. Evidence shows that when accessing general UK healthcare services in the last year, 7% of trans people were refused access to healthcare because they were LGBTQ+ and 24% fear discrimination from a healthcare provider.

The ways in which we support LGBTQ+ staff and patients are already inherent in our behaviour framework: compassion, care, respect, and dignity.  For the LGBTQ+ community, it’s about creating a culture where people feel free to be themselves openly and honestly.

Pride month is a time when I hope it is easier to speak about LGBTQ+ issues but the core of acceptance and allyship is for all year round. That’s why I’m proud to be the Exec Sponsor for the LGBTQ+ staff network. For me it means aspiring to make a difference to the experience of our patients and staff. Being part of the network gives me the opportunity to use my voice to make changes and champion civility and respect for everyone.

Our recent NHS Staff Survey results showed significant success on the topic of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, however we also acknowledge that our LGBTQ+ community have reported a deterioration in their staff experience compared to 2021. I am particularly committed to addressing this, and I will work closely with the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team, together with the Staff Networks to explore in more depth the experience of our under-represented groups and agree together what further action could be taken to address concerns and experiences. Please do get in touch with me directly if you feel there are particular areas of improvement we could discuss.

The NCH&C staff networks are a way to help the trust move in the right direction, giving input on policies and trust functions. Importantly, they are a safe place for people to be themselves and for allies to show their support. You can sign up to any of our three staff networks or arrange Allyship training for you or your team by emailing inclusion@nchc.nhs.uk.

I’d like to take this opportunity to make you aware of some of the events happening across Norfolk and Waveney to celebrate Pride –

  • ‘Dereham Does Pride’ will take place on Saturday 1 July at the King’s Head Hotel on Norwich Street, Dereham, and will feature performers including drag queens, a rapper, and acrobats. Find out more here.
  • Norwich Pride takes place on 29 July and Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Pride is on 19 August. Contact: inclusion@nchc.nhs.uk to participate in the Pride March stating Norwich or King’s Lynn Pride.

Carolyn Fowler
Director of Nursing & Quality