No excellence without equality

My name is Jayne King and I am co-chair of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) Staff Forum at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHSFoundation Trust.

I have been asked to tell my story as part of the Trust’s LGBT History Month and 2015 diversity campaign. Both requests have made me reflect on my personal journey from being an NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) in the Royal Air Force to the Head of Security, Portering and Reception services at Guy’s and St Thomas’.

I served nine years in the RAF, where being gay was illegal under military law and I saw numerous friends and colleagues arrested and dishonourably discharged from the services. I am not talking about ancient history as this law was in force until as recently as the year 2000. During my years of service I and other gay military colleagues lived in constant fear of being ourselves and being discovered. How times have changed.

We have seen the introduction of civil partnerships in 2005 and more recently the Equal Marriage Act of 2014. It is widely acknowledged that if you can be your whole self you make a better employee. So it is in the interest of Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Kings Health Partners to promote the equality agenda for all.

Today I am happily married, having met my wife at the Trust and we have the most wonderful little boy who will be three in May. Guy’s and St Thomas’ has given me the strength, security and support to be who I want to be and to be the best that I can. I am very proud to be part of such a wonderful organisation.

In January, Guy’s and St Thomas’ were awarded the Stonewall Health Sector Top Employers Award for being the joint most improved organisation in London. The Trust is fully committed to working with our LGBT friends across King’s Health Partners, and to celebrate LGBT History month we have staff networking forums, social occasions and the sharing of good practice, ensuring a safe environment for LGBT staff, patients and their friends and families.

In the Stonewall 2015 Workplace Index, the Trust has improved by 117 places in LGBT equality ranking, coming 111th out of 397 organisations. Recently at an event I heard a senior manager from the Care Quality Commission tell the audience that you cannot have excellence without equality. This strongly resonates with all staff and not just LGBT staff.

Last September, I was also honoured to be included on the Health Service Journal’sinaugural list of LGBT role models – 25 people in the NHS who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, who are working to promote inclusion and to lead by example.

In the words of Dame Julie Moore, Chief Executive, University Hospitals Birmingham and also on this list, tackling discrimination over sexuality ‘can only help promote understanding and openness, thereby allowing staff to be comfortable in themselves at work, and in the long run this will benefit our patients’.

To celebrate LGBT History Month, on 26 February we have a range of exciting events all supported by the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Executive Board and championed by our Executive champion and Director of Workforce, Ann Macintyre.

I hope that this has given you a brief insight into LGBT life at Guy’s and St Thomas’. If you would like to get involved and find out more please email the team atlgbtforum@gstt.nhs.uk.

Thanks for reading,

Jayne