Oswestry’s specialist orthopaedic hospital has pledged its support to LGBTQ+ staff, patients and the wider community with the unveiling of rainbow windows – as part of Pride Month celebrations.
The windows in the main entrance of The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital have been transformed to reflect the colours of the Pride rainbow flag, featuring six powerful pledges made by staff.
The RJAH Charity organised the rainbow window panels, which were printed and installed by local company Welshpool Printing Group, after being designed by Tony Brindley, the Trust’s Graphic Designer who is part of the Medical Illustration department.
David Low, Improvement and Organisational Development Manager, said: “The six colours in the windows mirror the iconic Pride flag, where every colour has its own meaning. Red is life; orange is healing; yellow is sunlight; green is nature; blue is harmony and peace; and violet is spirit.
“The pledges on the windows have also come from our very own staff at RJAH, and represent three key themes – equality and diversity, supporting patients and colleagues, and personal experiences.
“I’m really proud that RJAH is a visible ally to the LGBTQ+ community.”
As well as Organisational Development, the RJAH Charity and Medical Illustration, the hospital’s Communication Team and Estates and Facilities also supported with the project.
Last year, the Oswestry-based hospital signed-up to the NHS Rainbow Badge scheme – an initiative which aims to show support for LGBTQ+ colleagues and patients where staff are required to pledge their support to become a badge wearer.
Stacey Keegan, Chief Nurse and Patient Safety Officer, said: “Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I know how important the Rainbow Badge initiative is. It’s so much more than just wearing a badge; this is about making sure that the people we are caring for or work at our hospital feel safe but also seen.
“We work hard to create an environment for our staff and patients that is supportive, open and inclusive, so I am delighted to see the rainbow windows installed in such a prominent location in the Trust.
“I hope our LGBTQ+ staff, patients and visitors feel the same amount of pride and empowerment as I did when I first saw the windows.”
The NHS Rainbow Badge originated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital to make a positive difference by promoting the message of inclusion and has since been rolled out in NHS Trusts across the country.
LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, questioning and the + simply means that RJAH is inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves.
Victoria Sugden, RJAH Charity representative, said: “‘We first supported the NHS Rainbow Badge scheme last year, and we have continued to work collaboratively to bring staff pledges to life through the rainbow windows.”
Pictured: Kerry Robinson, Chief Improvement, Performance and Organisational Development Officer; Victoria Sugden, RJAH Charity representative; David Low, Improvement and Organisational Development Manager; and Stacey Keegan, Chief Nurse and Patient Safety Officer; in front of the new rainbow windows at RJAH.