Year of progress with Stonewall Health Champion programme

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has spent nearly a year working in partnership with Stonewall to improve services for lesbian, gay, and bisexual patients.

During that time, the Trust has run a consultation with the public to gather views about hospital care, including a survey and focus group. It has also run events at the hospital to link with key dates throughout the year, including IDAHO Day, Norwich Pride and LGBT history month. Information has been provided for patients and staff and the Rainbow flag has been flown over the main hospital building as a public show of support.

The Trust has also established a LGBT staff support group which will continue the work which has been started with Stonewall.

Dawn Collins, Assistant Director of Nursing, said: “People told us that they wanted their partners to feel more included in decisions about their healthcare and we are reviewing our staff training to help us provide better support to our LGBT patients.”

“We are also planning to set up a network of LGBT champions across the organisation, improving the information available and reviewing our policies to make sure they meet the needs of both LGBT patients and staff.”

Stonewall’s Leila Woodhouse, said; “The Trust has taken some great steps to improve their services for lesbian, gay and bisexual people and their families. Dawn and the members of the Trust’s LGBT staff support group should be exceedingly proud of all their hard work this year.”

By joining Stonewall’s Health Champions programme, the Trust received free advice and expertise on health services from the gay equality charity. The programme is funded by the Department of Health and supports 20 health organisations across Britain to improve health services for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Notes to editors
• Stonewall research shows that lesbian, gay and bisexual people have a range of specific health concerns which often go unmet. Health services often overlook these needs and focus on sexual health.
• On 27th February, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is hosting a free event for LGBT History Month. Join us from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the Gooch Lecture Theatre for ‘An Evening with Amazing People’ featuring the ‘Sing with Pride’ choir and keynote speaker Claire Harvey – Paralympian, Seated Volleyball Captain.
• Stonewall is the lesbian, gay and bisexual equality charity founded in 1989. www.stonewall.org.uk