Exploring LGBTQ+ staff experience in the NHS
At least one in every 20 NHS staff is LGBTQ+, but the latest NHS Staff Survey results show that they are more likely to have a worse experience working in the NHS than their colleagues. The growing experience gap represents a recruitment and retention risk for the NHS.
1 in every 20 NHS staff identifies as LGBTQ+
- 2.6 per cent lesbian or gay
- 2.3 per cent bisexual
- 6 per cent preferred not to say
- 0.4 per cent transgender
LGBTQ+ staff are more likely to experience bullying and harassment, discrimination and unwanted sexual behaviour compared to their heterosexual colleagues. This experience gap widens for transgender and non-binary staff.
Bullying and harassment at work
- 35 per cent transgender staff
- 34 per cent bisexual staff
- 32 per cent gay and lesbian staff
- 23 per cent heterosexual staff
Discrimination from patients, relatives and visitors
- 18 per cent transgender staff
- 14 per cent gay and lesbian staff
- 12 per cent bisexual staff
- 8 per cent heterosexual staff
Unwanted sexual behaviour from other colleagues
- 15 per cent transgender staff
- 9 per cent bisexual staff
- 7 per cent gay and lesbian staff
- 3.4 per cent heterosexual staff
Unwanted sexual behaviour from patients, relatives and visitors
- 19 per cent bisexual staff
- 15per cent transgender staff
- 12per cent gay and lesbian staff
- 8 per cent heterosexual staff
LGBTQ+ staff are less likely to recommend the NHS as a place to work
- 63 per cent heterosexual staff
- 60 per cent bisexual staff
- 58 per cent gay and lesbian staff
- 56 per cent transgender staff
One in five gay, lesbian and bisexual staff and one in four transgender staff are thinking of leaving the NHS.
*Source: NHS Staff Survey 2023
