Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust awarded Navajo charter mark

Photo: Audrey Cushion, Deputy Director of HR, and Lin Douglas, Equalities lead, with the Trust’s Navajo charter mark certificate.

A NHS trust’s inclusive attitude towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people was recognised with the award of the Navajo charter mark.

The award to Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust was presented at the annual Merseyside and Cheshire LGBTI partnership at a ceremony in Liverpool.

The Navajo movement started in Lancashire in1999. As well as tackling inequality and prejudice, it recognises that social well-being and acceptance in society of lesbian, gay and bisexual people has a positive impact on their health. More recently the scheme has been extended to include transgender people too.

The name Navajo was chosen in tribute to the traditions of tolerance, non-discrimination and goodwill that historically formed a central part of the North American Navajo Nation’s belief system.

Audrey Cushion, Deputy Director of HR, said: “The charter mark assessment takes into account an organisation’s practices and policies, how it trains and recruits, and how it engages with staff. We are very proud to be one of the 11 organisations in Merseyside and Cheshire to be awarded it.

Lin Douglas, Trust equalities lead, added: “I am delighted we have achieved this award. We have taken positive steps in addressing these issues and the charter mark will support employees and users of our services who identify as LGBTI.”

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