Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower with a day of exciting events and talks for the staff to support their launch. To demonstrate the importance of disability inclusion Mark Orchard, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Sponsor of the DisAbility Staff Network will be championing the event and taking a leading part in the presentations.

Mark Orchard, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Sponsor of the DisAbility Staff Network said:

"Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team and DisAbility Staff Network are excited to launch the Sunflower Scheme across Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. A hidden disability can make daily life more challenging. Wearing a badge or lanyard, discreetly indicates to people they may need additional support, help or more time. 

All staff, across all of the sites from which we provide care, will be invited to participate in training on how to support staff and patients with a sunflower lanyard or badge. Patients can expect awareness from staff that they may require extra time or support, and a respectful approach to offering extra help. It is important to us the scheme is embedded across all of our Portsmouth Hospitals sites not least because it aligns with the Trust’s vision of “Working Together to drive excellence in care for our patients and communities” and our EDI strategy aim "Work towards Intentional Inclusion". Overall, ensuring we understand, value and respect everyone."

 

Learn more about Portsmouth NHS Trust.

 

Is your organisation a member of the Sunflower network?

Is your place of work Sunflower friendly? If not, why not suggest they look into becoming members of the Sunflower? We provide training and assistance to help businesses recognise the Sunflower to support individuals with non-visible disabilities and become confident in providing them with additional help or assistance.

Join an impressive network of organisations so our Sunflower wearers can find you as they plan their days out:

  • add your location to the Sunflower location map
  • provide details useful for Sunflower-friendly visits
  • demonstrate how accessible you are
  • tell your story through articles
  • and even reveal your Sunflower-friendly events

Become a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network.