NHS Rainbow Badge scheme is incredibly important to patients and staff alike

Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation and executive lead of the Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network, said: 

"The Rainbow Badge scheme is an incredibly important scheme and many people in the NHS will be concerned to hear reports it is being shut down.

"Our members tell us the Rainbow Badge scheme helps their staff provide open, non-judgmental care, improve inclusion and reduce the health inequalities that are experienced by NHS staff and patients who are LGBTQ+.

"So we are relieved to hear that the work of this invaluable scheme will continue, though we are concerned there will be a very significant reduction in the already-limited resources used to deliver the programme.

"The UK’s LGBTQ+ population experiences significant physical and mental health inequalities compared to the general population. This is not acceptable and given NHS England’s commitment in the Long Term Plan to reduce inequalities, it would be disappointing if full use was not made of opportunities like these to make a difference."