Six healthcare organisations named top employers for LGBT staff

The “Top 100 Employers” list for 2019, created by LGBT charity Stonewall, features six health and social care organisations, including three new entries for the sector and three existing ones from previous years.

“Everyone is welcome at our trust and we encourage staff to bring their whole self to work”

Claire Murdoch

The charity explained that the annual list was compiled by submissions to its benchmark tool – the Workforce Equality Index – and noted it was the “most competitive” year yet with 445 entries from employers.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust ranked highest in the sector this year at number 28, and jumped an impressive 67 places, after coming 95^th in 2018.

Claire Murdoch, chief executive at the trust, said: “This is fabulous. I’m really proud of what we do and our LGBT+ staff network. This recognition from Stonewall is fantastic.”

“Everyone is welcome at our trust and we encourage staff to bring their whole self to work and be open with colleagues and patients. It makes for happier staff, a diversely brilliant place to work and that’s better for patients,” she added.

Three new entries to the list this year include: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (77^th), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (84^th), and the NHS Business Services Authority (88^th).

Former MP Jacqui Smith, chair of University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), said: “I’m incredibly proud of UHB’s commitment to greater inclusivity and the strengthening of a truly equal trust where our lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans colleagues feel welcomed, comfortable and free to be who they are.

She said: “In the past year UHB has expanded its staff networks, embedded policies to support our trans colleagues and patients, marked and celebrated the achievements of the LGBT community, and demonstrated pledges to highlight and tackle the profound inequalities and challenges the community still faces.

“UHB will further this vital work in the coming years and will continue to engage with – and listen closely to – all voices across our workforce and our LGBT community. This will ensure UHB remains not only a fantastic place to work, but a place where you will feel supported and happy to simply be yourself,” she added.

 “All these health and social care organisations who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a wonderful job.”

Darren Towers

Meanwhile, for those returning in this year’s list the Golden Jubilee Foundation, a national institution which works to re-define the concept of the public hospital, moved up to land at the number 37 spot after placing at 88^th in the 2018 list.

In addition, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, a local health board in North Wales, tied with the foundation trust at number 37, climbing 14 spots.

Executive director at Stonewall, Darren Towers, said: “All these health and social care organisations who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a wonderful job.”

“LGBT-inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to protect and support LGBT people,” he added.

Mr Towers said: “With so many organisations displaying such a strong commitment to LGBT equality, we are one step closer to creating a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception.”

The charity noted that research from last year, showed more than a third of LGBT staff (35%) have hidden they are LGBT at work and almost one in five LGBT employees (18%) have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.

Full results of the Top 100 Employers list for 2019 can be found online at the Stonewall website. See below for Nursing Times coverage of previous year’s lists.

https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/workforce/six-healthcare-organisations-named-top-employers-for-lgbt-staff/7027463.article