NHS Rainbow pedestrian crossing is a first at Sutton's King's Mill Hospital

The crossing, thought to be the first on a Nottinghamshire NHS trust site, is close to the hospital’s entrance and is the latest addition to the trust’s equality, diversity and inclusivity agenda.

Its unveiling follows the launch of an ally scheme and commitment, colleague blogs and a rainbow flag placed outside the hospital as part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s LGBT+ History campaign in February.

David Selwyn, Sherwood’s medical director and LGBT+ staff network executive lead, said: “The crossing is one of the many ways the trust is showing its inclusivity towards Sherwood colleagues and also towards our patients, visitors, guests and the local community.

“To be able to open this rainbow crossing, which represents the LGBT+ community and allies, as well as a symbol of the difficult 15 months we’ve all had in the NHS, is a special moment. I am delighted for it to be on display at Sherwood’s main hospital hub, King’s Mill Hospital.”

The NHS People Plan, a scheme for current and future colleagues, highlights that ‘a large number of colleagues who identify as LGBTQ+ do not feel confident enough to report their sexual orientation or gender expression on their employment record.’

However, the figures at Sherwood show a positive increase (two per cent) of colleagues reporting their identities year-on-year and a decrease in the ‘do not wish to disclose’ option from 21.54 per cent to 19.49 per cent between 2018/19 and 2019/20.

Angela Sutton, PMO operations manager and LGBT+ chairperson at the trust, said: “I have been involved in the Trust’s LGBT+ agenda for a couple of years, and as chair of the staff network, which includes more than 60 members and allies, I have seen the growth and development towards being an even more inclusive organisation, not only for colleagues at Sherwood, but for the local community too.

“Having the rainbow crossing proudly on display for all to see, demonstrates the inclusivity and equality at Sherwood and validates that the trust is here to support everyone in the LGBT+ community and deliver outstanding care to everyone in a safe and compassionate environment.”