The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been named as one of the most inclusive employers in the UK after being listed in the Top 100 Employers by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality charity Stonewall.
The Trust reached the top 100 after being ranked 40th nationally, the fifth highest in the region and the highest ranking new entry in the health and social care sector.
I’m incredibly proud to see that Newcastle Hospitals is now recognised as one of Stonewalls Top 100 Employers and it’s fantastic to be the highest ranking new entry in our sector.
Dame Jackie Daniel, Chief Executive for Newcastle Hospitals
Over the last year Newcastle Hospitals has worked hard to focus on LGBT+ inclusion, including launching the NHS Rainbow Badge initiative.
Dame Jackie continues: “Over 5000 members of staff wear their NHS Rainbow Badge with pride and have pledged to take action to support inclusion and visibility. We’ve celebrated Pride together in the city with a breakfast for our staff and their families, as well as highlighting Trans inclusion across our NHS services.
“#FlourishAtNewcastleHospitals’ is our cornerstone programme aiming to enable every member of staff to liberate their full potential at work. An important part of this is supporting every member of staff to be their authentic self. As an organisation, we recognise and celebrate the value that difference and diversity brings.
High visibility for LGBT inclusion
“Members of our Board and Executive team are highly visible in their support for LGBT inclusion and in championing change for staff and patients regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Our LGBT staff network also plays an important role in ensuring we value and celebrate diversity with passion and energy.
“Building on this foundation, I’m delighted that Newcastle Hospitals will host the first national NHS LGBT+ staff conference in July 2020, encouraging the whole NHS to champion positive change.”
Ranked from 149th to 40th
The Trust has entered Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list after being ranked 149 last year. The UK Workplace Equality Index is the definitive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion in the workplace. It asks employers to demonstrate their work in 10 areas of employment policy and practice including policy, staff networks, community engagement and all-staff engagement.
Chair of the Trust LGBT staff network Mark Ellerby-Hedly said: “This is fantastic news, I am so proud to work at Newcastle Hospitals, a trust that has been working tirelessly over the last few years to make sure our workplace is supportive and inclusive of LGTB+ staff and patients and to show our commitment to LGBT equality.
“To be recognised by Stonewall and being placed so high up in the UK Workplace Equality Index Top 100 is a massive achievement and one we should all celebrate.
“As chair of the LGBT staff network I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Karen Pearce (Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Martin Wilson (Chief Operating Officer), Lucy Hall (Equality and Diversity Lead) and the LGBT staff network for all of their hard work, and to Dame Jackie and the Executive Board for their continued support.”
