NHS Cheshire and Merseyside achieve the Navajo LGBTQ+ Charter Mark
Friday, 11 October 2024
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has been recognised for its support for the LGBTQ+ community at a prestigious event in Liverpool.
The ceremony took place at The City of Liverpool College on Thursday 3 October, with organisations from across the region receiving the accolade which signifies “good practice, commitment and knowledge of the specific needs, issues and barriers facing LGBTIQA+ people”.
Other NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside retained or received the award for the first time on Thursday - congratulations to their hard work, and we are proud to have received the award alongside them.
Mark Palethorpe, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Place Director for St Helens and Executive Sponsor for the LGBTQ+ Network, said:
“It’s great that we’ve been recognised for our support to the LGBTQ+ staff, patients and wider communities.
“As well as marking the great work that has been done already, it also highlights our commitment to continuing to learn and improve.”
The process of receiving the Navajo Charter Mark consists of ten assessment criteria, including two days of interviews with staff across the organisation going up to executive leaders.
The criteria requires the organisation to demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, intersectionality and equity for all people especially gay and gender variant individuals as well as to provide an action plan showing a commitment to continuing to improve.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s LGBTQ+ Network meets monthly to support LGTBQ+ staff across the region, strengthen their voices, promote their wellbeing and improve engagement.
In the past year they have held staff engagement events, attended Pride and worked on raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues.
To find out more about the Network and to get involved, contact tim.thompson@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk
To find out more about the free Navajo Charter Mark and the process involved visit the In-Trust website.