Countess of Chester Hospital ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ community as they welcome Chester Pride CEO

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust cements its ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ community as they welcome Chester Pride's CEO.

Richard Euston's visit ahead of the annual Chester Pride event on Saturday,17 August, underlines the Trust's dedication to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all its patients, staff and visitors, where everyone can be open about who they are and feel able to be their true self. 

During his visit, Richard met with members of the Trust's executive team and key staff members to discuss strategies for improving healthcare services for LGBTQ+ individuals and explore areas where the Trust can enhance its support and services.  

Emphasising the importance of everyday actions in fostering an inclusive environment, Richard said:

"The biggest thing the Trust can do is practice every day allyship and continue to utilise staff networks to promote inclusivity internally. 

“Educating staff at all levels is crucial to ensure they know how to support LGBTQ+ patients effectively, and using the voices of both staff and patients is also really powerful, as are the every day interactions between each other." 

"Allies are hugely important. An organisation cannot become fully inclusive if there aren't any non LGBTQ+ people supporting the cause. I'd like to encourage people to get involved with Chester Pride in the NHS' entry, even by just coming along and showing support. 

"There's no better way to demonstrate your support for the community than being involved with events like Pride,"

Ashley Vaughan-Pearson, Chair of The Trust's LGBTQ+ Staff Network added:   

"It was wonderful to welcome Richard from Chester Pride to our Trust to meet staff from the LGBTQ+ Staff Network and beyond, and to build a relationship with another local organisation to look at ways we can support one another in the future. 

"I am so proud to know we are standing together in celebrating diversity and promoting acceptance,” he said.

The Trust’s LGBTQ+ Staff Network aims to increase awareness of LGBTQ+ issues, create a safe space for support, enable networking with colleagues to raise concerns and queries, and build an allyship to create an inclusive workplace, as well as celebrate diversity and success. 

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System.   

Its services are provided from three locations:

The Countess of Chester Hospital, Ellesmere Port Hospital and Tarporley War Memorial Hospital.