Hello, my name is Shelley, and I am Programme Manager for the Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) learning disability programme. I also lead the Autism and ADHD programme.June is Pride month, so we also have a blog from Rob Goodyear, Associate Director for Strategic Operations, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board
Hello, my name is Rob. I am the Associate Director for Strategic Operations in the Clinical and Professional Directorate, working for James Thomas, the ICB’s Medical Director, and Beverley Geary the ICB's Director of Nursing.
More personally, I’m a gay man and this blog has been prompted by Pride month, June.
I wanted to take the opportunity to speak about two things. Firstly, I am a member of the West Yorkshire ICB LGBTQ+ Staff Network. The Network was established in 2022, but it’s the first time in my 19 year career in the NHS that I have had the opportunity to be part of such a staff network. It’s open to any member of staff who identifies as LGBTQ+ or is an ally.
There’s a small group of us in the network. We don’t always have formal agendas when we meet, but it’s an important space to be able to meet with colleagues and talk about anything LGBTQ+, both the positives and the negatives and how we can influence change and be our true selves at work.
We are a peer support group. We’ve heard from Sophie Bracewell, Gender Outreach Worker, supported development of the ICB Gender Identity Policy and have recently been discussing the outcomes data for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff in the Staff Survey. The survey feedback tells us comparatively fewer LGB staff feel the ICB acts fairly with regard to career progression / promotion, regardless of ethnic background, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age. L and G staff feel less confident that the ICB takes positive action on health and well-being.
We have also produced a leaflet which explains the purpose and aims of the network and gives detail of the Rainbow Badge Scheme, which we hope to launch soon.
We are proud to have Beverley Geary as our executive sponsor who supports our agenda, attends meetings, and champions the importance and value of our staff network. She’s also very willing to celebrate Pride with us as you can see from the photo!!
The second thing I’d like to highlight to celebrate Pride is an article recently published by The King’s Fund – “What can be learnt from the past 75 years of LGBTQ+ health care?”
The article gives a timeline of LGBTQ+ health care and legal reform. It’s a good read and illustrates how the NHS has supported our LGBTQ+ community. It makes me proud as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and proud to work for the NHS. I think it’s important to read this and see what you remember and the impact it had.
We know battles are still ahead, while huge progress has been made for LGBTQ+ people, there are more threats emerging.
Last week (10 – 16 June 2024) was Carers Week – a week for 'Putting carers on the map' and highlighting the invaluable contribution they make and the wealth of knowledge and expertise they bring into our partnership.
Congratulations to Dr Waqas Tahir, Diabetes Clinical Lead and GP with the Affinity Care PCN in Bradford Place, who has been appointed the NHS North East and Yorkshire Diabetes Clinical Lead. 
The LGBTQ+ variation of the ‘Check-in’ campaign has now launched phase one of the new public facing campaign that will be promoted through West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnerships, Local Authorities and other participating organisations. Launching at (but not limited to) Pride season, the campaign aims to have a positive impact on LGBTQ+ mental wellbeing. 
Find Out How You Really Are encourages people to take steps to understand and reduce their risk of developing diabetes or experiencing a heart attack or stroke.