Arrowe Park Hospital flies a new flag

For the first time ever Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) is flying the Pride Progress rainbow flag and it’s all part of Pride in the NHS Week.

The rainbow flag widely used around the world as a recognised symbol for the LGBT+ community, has changed recently. The new Pride Progress flag now includes additional colours and a new symbol to represent people of colour in the LGBT+ community, as well as the transgender and intersex community.

The flag has been raised above Arrowe Park Hospital this week to mark Pride in the NHS Week.

With an active staff network group called WUTH Rainbow Alliance, the Trust has a strong commitment to supporting the LGBT+ community.

Sharon Landrum, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “It was a real privilege to see the flag being flown for the very first time and for it to be raised during Pride in the NHS Week. We have a huge support for the LGBT+ community in our hospital and our WUTH Rainbow staff network group have played a huge part in that.”

Dr Nikki Stevenson, WUTH Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive, who is also the executive lead on the WUTH Rainbow staff network group, added: “Treating people equally is a fundamental principle of our NHS and it’s great to celebrate the contributions of our LGBT+ staff. We’re proud to fly this new flag at WUTH to affirm our support for this amazing celebration of diversity, showing pride in our NHS. We do hope that people will see the flag and recognise our commitment and support to the LGBT+ community.”

The theme for 2021 is Elevate, Educate, Celebrate. Pride in the NHS Week is a week-long focus at the end of Pride Season 2021 (June – September) to provide rest, relaxation and recovery for NHS colleagues from our LGBT+ communities.

Due to current restrictions in hospitals, the week-long celebrations are virtual events, with NHS staff around the country coming together online.

Photo 1:

Pride Progress rainbow flag flying at Arrowe Park Hospital.

Photo 2:

Staff at Wirral University Teaching Hospital including members of the WUTH Rainbow staff network group gathered as the Pride Progress rainbow flag was raised at Arrowe Park Hospital.