GLADD responds to reassurances from Sir Nigel Crisp
Following a reassuring letter from Sir Nigel Crisp, Chief Executive of the NHS, GLADD has found it necessary to write again to request clearer guidance from the Department of Health regarding Equality and Diversity in the Medical Workforce as it relates to the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003.
A copy of our letter expressing our concerns can be downloaded in 
September 2004
GLADD is disappointed that yet another article on 'Diversity in the NHS' fails to include sexual orientation
An article in the Career Focus section of the BMJ
has appeared this month (December 2004) which discusses diversity in the NHS and how it pertains to doctors. GLADD is extremely disappointed that this article focuses on race, religion and disability with the omission of sexual orientation and other diversity issues. We are even more disappointed that this article has been written by somebody associated with the Department of Health when we have received written reassurances recently that the DH that they are working hard on diversity and equality issues in the NHS. GLADD will continue to work hard to try to improve this situation.
December 2004
GLADD is seriously concerned by the omission of sexual orientation as a key theme in DH consultation on equality and diversity in the medical workforce
GLADD has submitted our response to the Department of Health (DH) consultation document Sharing the challenge: sharing the benefits - Equality and Diversity in the Medical Workforce.
We are seriously concerned that this major consultation exercise omits sexual orientation as a main theme. We are disappointed that the DH is still failing to demonstrate any positive or proactive leadership on this issue which is important to NHS staff as well as patients.
A copy of our response can be downloaded in .
September 2004
GLADD comments on the General Medical Council's Equality and Diversity consultation
GLADD has commented on the General Medical Council's Consultation: Race, Equality and Diversity Work Programme (2003-2004). A copy of our comments can be obtained in by clicking on this link.
August 2004
BMA News highlights BMA's Interest in LGB Equality Issues
An article in BMA News (3 July 2004) has highlighted the BMA's renewed interest in equality issues. The article features an interview with one of GLADD's Co-Chairs, Dr Jolyon Oxley, and a version of the full article can be downloaded from our web site by kind permission of BMA News.
The article is backed-up by a Prize Letter which appeared in BMA News on 17 July. Again we thank BMA News for allowing us to reproduce a copy of the letter on our web site.
July 2004
Sexuality Repositioned: Diversity and Law
This new book is co-edited by a former GLADD committee member and has several contributions from a former co-chair of GLADD as well as members of the GLADD Executive Committee.
The book takes a radical new look at sexual diversity and how our sexualities are being refashioned and repositioned. Sexual diversity provides a particularly explosive trigger for both rabid disagreement and improbable bedfellowship. The fallout from the 1960s' sexual revolution, the 1970s' advances in assisted reproductions, the 1980s' AIDS epidemic, and the 1990s' paedophilia scandals have combined to thrust sexuality into the headlines in increasingly explicit and often lurid ways. We now have no excuse not to know how people of different ages, sizes, sexes and beliefs express their sexuality, whether alone, in pairs, in groups or in society. This book explores where we are going sexually and how our sexualities are being refashioned and repositioned.
The publishers' web site and further information about the book can be found by clicking on this link.
GLADD Writes to Dr John Reid to request a meeting
GLADD remains deeply concerned by the lack of guidance issued by the Department of Health regarding the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation)
Regulations 2003. The NHS is the UK's largest employer and should be leading the way in implementing high quality equality and diversity employment practices. We have written to the Secretary of State for Health today to request a meeting to try to take this matter forwards.
A copy of our letter can be downloaded here in a
May 2004
BMJ publishes paper about how lesbian and gay doctors deal with the complex issues of the physical examination of patients
A paper published in the BMJ this week examines how lesbian, gay and bisexual doctors negotiate the potential challenges of the physical examination of patients.
See also the editorial by Hughes.
Treatment to change sexual orientation did not benefit patients
Two studies in the British Medical Journal have concluded that previously widespread treatments which were intended to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals were ineffective; indeed they resulted in increased levels of social isolation and shame. Commonly used treatments included behavioural aversion therapy with electric shocks, oestrogen therapy, religious counselling, electroconvulsive therapy, and psychoanalysis - all were equally ineffective.
At the time, homosexuality was illegal and disapproved of morally and socially. Thus patients were referred via their general practitioners, teachers and were even referred by the courts as an alternative to imprisonment. The study draws the conclusion that it is harmful to apply medical diagnoses to human conditions that are disapproved of morally or socially.
Two qualitative studies were carried out: The first investigated the experiences of those who had undergone such treatments with conclusions as outlined above; The second study examined the experiences of the professionals who carried out or supervised the treatments and demonstrated that many now feel uneasy about the efficacy of the treatments and their ethical basis.
GLADD responds to the Government's Civil Partnership Registration proposals
GLADD has responded positively to the Government's proposals to allow same-sex couples living in stable and committed partnerships to register these partnerships.
It is hoped that these arrangements will help to bring about the necessary cultural changes required to abolish homophobic behaviour within our civil institutions, the work place, as well as within the community at large.
We do have some concerns which we feel need to be addressed, particularly relating to pension rights, next-of-kin status for partners and the potential for commercial discrimination based on perceived increased risk of contracting HIV.
A full copy of our response in can be downloaded here.
MIND and University College London publish important research into the mental health and social well-being of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals
Important research has been published recently which has important implications for anybody in the healthcare professions who may deal with lesbian, gay or bisexual patients - and of course this refers to all healthcare professionals as you cannot necessarily tell which patients are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual. Key recommendations include:
- Education and continuing professional development for all health and social services professionals covering lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) relationships, sexuality and well-being, deliberate self-harm and substance abuse
- Monitoring experiences and satisfaction levels of LGB patients/clients
- Guidance from NICE on prevention of self harm for LGB people
- Agencies working with children and young people should develop policies and strategies to deal with victimisation and bullying related to sexual orientation
- Government legislation to ensure equal rights and protection from discrimination for all LGB people
The full report can be viewed on the MIND web site.
The implications of the report with regard to education of medical students are discussed in the Student BMJ.
GLADD will be holding a special meeting to discuss the implications of this report. For further information, go to our meetings pages.
Lifetime Honorary Membership awarded to Professor David Harvey
We are delighted that Professor Harvey has become the first Honorary Member of GLADD. David was formerly involved with the organisation of the Gay Medical Association and was instrumental in the setting up of GLADD in 1995. He was the first treasurer of the Association and more recently has been a very distinguished co-chair. David has retired this year as Professor of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine at Queen Charlotte's and the Hammersmith Hospitals. He has always been prominent in both the medical profession and the lesbian and gay community and has not been afraid to disclose his sexuality. The membership overwhelmingly voted for David to be offered Honorary Membership at the recent members' annual meeting. David has said the he is delighted with the offer of Honorary Membership and it will bring Teck and I much pleasure.
GLADD responds to Department of Health proposals to test healthcare workers for Hepatitis C and HIV
GLADD has responded to the Department of Health's proposals to test healthcare workers for HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV). We have major concerns about the proposals.
Please click here to view the response in Portable Document Format (PDF)
President of GMC Welcomes GLADD Guideline
Professor Catto (Right) receives the GLADD Guidelines from Dr Daniel Saunders and Dr Rachel Hogg
As part of its work to help the NHS conform to the new legislation and to mark the launch of its guidance on achieving dignity at work for all gay, lesbian and bisexual doctors and dentists, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists (GLADD) today presented its report to the President of the General Medical Council, Professor Sir Graeme Catto.
Receiving the guidance Sir Graeme replied that "The GMC welcomes these guidelines which are a valuable resource to help doctors to challenge homophobia and deal more effectively and equitably with lesbian and gay patients and colleagues. It is important that the medical profession and the NHS continues to improve the way in which they deal with lesbian and gay issues and these guidelines make an important contribution to this process."
BMA Welcomes GLADD Guidelines
Dr Vivienne Nathanson (Right) receives the GLADD Guidelines from Professor Martin Johnson and Dr Rachel Hogg
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Director of Professional Activities for the British Medical Association today received a copy of the GLADD Dignity at Work for Lesbian and Gay Doctors and Dentists guidelines after she gave the Annual Peter King Lecture. Welcoming the guidelines, Dr Nathanson said "Your guidelines will be extremely useful to the BMA who are continuing to work hard for true equality of opportunity for doctors in the NHS and we look forward to working with GLADD in the future on this matter."
Department of Health External Reference Group on LGBT Issues
The Department of Health met with key LGBT organisations (including GLADD) on 22 November in London to identify issues for improving services and employment opportunities in the Department of Health, NHS and Social Services and to explore how best these issues can be addressed.
Elisabeth Al-Khalifa of the Department of Health Equality Strategy Group explained that the Department was beginning to consider what it will need to do to meet the new legal obligations under the proposed legislation to prohibit direct and indirect discrimination at work on grounds of age, sexual orientation, religion and belief and disability.
She also reminded us of the NHS Plan commitment to developing services that are responsive to the needs of different groups and individuals within society and to challenge discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability and sexuality. The NHS Plan also makes it clear that every member of staff in the NHS is entitled to work in an organisation which can prove that it is investing in improving diversity and tackling discrimination and harassment.
We had a useful discussion around a number of issues and indicated to the Department our willingness to help in the future.
NB this is a copy of the DoH Press Release about the above meeting
Discrimination against medical students with disabilities and serious communicable diseases - perhaps a cause for some optimism?
For some time now, GLADD has been working with a variety of organisations to try to encourage the General Medical Council and Council of Heads of Medical Schools to reconsider their attitude towards medical students with disabilities or serious communicable diseases.
There are some signs of progress being made in this important area. The progress and reasons for it being made are discussed by Peter Taysum in a recent issue of the Student BMJ, entitled The changing legal landscape of discrimination in medicine.
GLADD guidelines receive interest from Chief Medical Officer
At a meeting of national leaders in medical education in the UK, a variety of people expressed interest in and support for, in principal, our guidelines Dignity at work for lesbian and gay men in the NHS. Although the guidelines are yet to be formally launched, Dr Liz Paice, one of the Chairs of an NHS workforce confederation said: 'what we are talking about is a matter of equality and fairness, then that is something that Deans can act on and help and support. And it is something that we would want to do.' The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said: 'I agree with everything Liz said and support those principals absolutely.'
The GLADD guidelines, Dignity at work for lesbians and gay men are available for download from our web site and will be formally launched shortly. Please go to the homophobia section for more information.
We are starting to develop an educational package to help members of the NHS appreciate the importance of homophobia in the NHS, both towards staff and patients, and to facilitate a change in attitudes.
Mad, bad and dangerous to know: Ending discrimination against lesbians, gay men and trans people in the new NHS
Dr Zoë-Jane Playdon, GLADD Co-Chair, spoke at St. George's Hospital Medical School on Thursday 21st March 2002, at the invitation of their Equality and Diversity Committee. She discussed the background to homophobia in the NHS and GLADD's vision as to how we might work together to tackle this issue which is not only important for lesbians and gay men working in the NHS but also for patients. To download a transcript of her talk, click here.
For further information about GLADD's work on tackling homophobia in the NHS, please contact us directly. We shall be publishing our guidelines shortly.
Homophobia in the NHS - Guidelines now available
The GLADD guidelines Improving working lives - Dignity at work for lesbian and gay doctors and dentists are now available. This is a tremendous achievement for GLADD and an important publication. The Guidelines have been drawn up following the NHSE's Improving working lives standards and are intended for NHS Trusts, General Medical Practices, General Dental Practices and those involved with curriculum design at medical and dental schools. There are also guidelines for individuals who have been the victims of homophobia in the workplace. For further information, follow the link to the antidiscrimination pages of this web site.
Chair of GMC Education Committee talks about The shape of things to come at GLADD meeting
Professor Graeme Catto, Chair of the GMC's Education Committee, Dean of GKT Medical and Dental School and Vice-Principal of King's College London, gave the inaugural Peter King Memorial Lecture on 17 March 2001 in memory of the founder of GLADD. Entitled The shape of things to come, Professor Catto's talk gave a fascinating insight into what the future medical profession may look like as well as how organisations such as GLADD might try to help to shape that future.
If you would like to download a transcript of Professor Catto's talk in please click here.
GLADD Comments on GMC's proposals for equality of opportunity in the revalidation process
GLADD was invited by the General Medical Council to comment on their proposals which attempt to ensure that the revalidation process is free from discrimination. A copy of our response is available for download in format.
For help with files click here.
GLADD Executive Committee reviews GLADD's structure and function
Voluntary Sector organisations such as GLADD face a number of difficulties in maintaining their existence and enabling themselves to develop. The Executive Committee met over a weekend last year to discuss some of these difficulties and suggest some solutions. The report from the weekend is available for download in format and contains some important proposals which will be of interest to everyone, including members of other voluntary organisations.
GLADD Comments on Home Office proposals to reform Sex Offences legislation
GLADD has been invited to comment on the Home Office's consultation Setting the boundaries: reforming the law on sex offences click here to download a copy of our response in Portable Document Format.
GLADD Comments on GMC proposals to reform Good Medical Practice
Good Medical Practice sets out the standards which doctors are expected to attain when practising medicine. The General Medical Council is currently revising Good Medical Practice and invited comments in a public consultation exercise. To view GLADD's response to this consultation click here to download the response in Portable Document Format.
Challenging workplace bullying and homophobia in the NHS
GLADD organised an extremely successful workshop on the above subject in September 2000. The workshop was attended by representatives from the Department of Health and various Royal Colleges as well as a number of GLADD members.
The proceedings of the workshop are available in Portable Document Format (PDF) for download:
| Summary | Executive Summary of Themes of Workshop |
| Contents | Contents of Workshop Report |
| Report | Report of Workshop on 16/9/00 |
| Annexes | Annexes from Workshop Report |
For help with using files click here.
The guidelines produced as a result of our work following this workshop will be available shortly. Click on the homophobia link to view progress on this topic.