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News & Media

Media Release

Date: 14 February 2022

Rainbow entrance revealed at the RUH for LGBT+ History Month

A new rainbow entrance has been painted at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath NHS Foundation Trust to demonstrate the Trust's commitment to providing an inclusive environment for both staff and patients.

The rainbow entrance, which was painted this month to coincide with LGBT+ History Month, is one of six planned across the hospital site. The initiative is being led by the RUH's LGBTQ+ Staff Network.

Chief Executive Cara Charles-Barks was joined members of the Executive team and LGBTQ+ Staff Network for the opening of the rainbow entrance on Tuesday 8 February.

Cara said: "We want to ensure that everyone feels they belong at the RUH, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected characteristic.

"Sadly, we know that there are stark healthcare inequalities for our LGBTQ+ community with as many as one in seven LGBTQ+ people avoiding healthcare for fear of discrimination. That's why visual signals such as our new entrance are so important to helping to spread the message that we are here for everyone."

Steve Dunne-Howells, Chair of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network said: "We're so proud to have our first rainbow entrance painted for all to see and can't wait to see others popping up around the hospital site. Visuals like this can provide reassurance to both staff and patients that the RUH is an open, non-judgemental organisation."

The rainbow entrance is just one of a number of initiatives introduced at the RUH to ensure an inclusive environment for patients, their loved ones, and staff.

This includes the rainbow flag outside the main entrance of the hospital and NHS rainbow lanyards and badges, which staff can wear to signal that people can feel confident in discussing LGBTQ+ issues with them.

ENDS

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