Healthcare professionals is a kind of loose term but describes anyone working in the health service really, some of us are doctors, some are nurses, some physios or OT, some are civil servants or porters. Some of us are straight, some are gay, some are bisexual. Some of us are transgender. All of us deserve to be treated with respect by our patients and our peers.

The law has recognised this in the Sexual Orientation Employment Legislation which gives you some protection under the law and employment tribunals, the unions are the experts in this, so if you feel that you are being discriminated at work, pick up the phone and get some advice!

This page tries to bring together a range of information and guidence about working in the NHS as an LGBT Healthcare professional and also links to some of the professional LGBT support groups and networks.

So lets start with the other places you can meet and get support from LGBT Healthcare professionals. If you think a group is missing then drop us a line and let us know.

GLADD -Gay & Lesbian Association of Doctors & Dentists

Kind of a mixture of social networking, educational seminars and a bit of political lobbying. Has an e-group for sharing information and a good spread of members across the UK. The organisation is steered by an executive group of volunteers who are all doctors and dentists working in the NHS which gives it quite a hands on real feel. There is a summer party and a new years party every year, normally one in London and one outside. Has a membership fee but the website is free to use and has some good information and updates on it.

www.gladd.org.uk

RCN OUT - Royal College of Nursing LGBT Staff Group

This is an interesting one and the social side seems most well established in London. The group is hosted by the Royal College of Nurses and has some full-time staff members who help support its work. Has regular monthlyish meetings at th RCN which are mainly topic focused. Usually has a presence at London Pride and has worked with other organisations in the past to produce some great guidence in the past.

http://www.rcn.org.uk/london/resources/out.php

UNISON OUT

Like some of the other unions, UNISON has a specific LGBT officer and an annual conference as well as conferences for BME LGBT members. There are also regional officers with local links. Upside and downside is that it crosses professional boundaries so is not just healthcare professionals.

http://unison.org.uk/out/index.asp

Stonewall

Stonewall have produced a guide on setting up LGBT Staff networks and it might be of interest to those of you who are thinking about doing something locally.

http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/network_groups_final_pdf.pdf