Growing our Great Community through Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The NHSGGC LGBTQ+ Staff Forum is a group of staff who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer inclusive (LGBTQ+), and our allies.

The group aims to create a safe and welcoming space for staff members within our LGBTQ+ community. We have social activities, a programme of events, and formal as well as informal meetings.

If you would like to join our Forum please complete our online Form. If you wish to join the Forum’s mailing list, please be assured that your personal details will not be disclosed. You can also be part of the LGBTQ+ Forum anonymously. Emails sent will always be blind copied.​

​The Forum has a social media presence on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) (@LgbtStaffForum). 

To find out more, you can contact us at ggc.lgbtstaff.forum@nhs.scot

Turas and LearnPro Modules

GGC learnpro modules can be accessed at learnPro NHS – Login (learnprouk.com) and you may find the following useful:

In CPD section – 

GGC 056 Hate Crime

In specialist subjects – 

GGC 149 – HIV Stigma

GGC 320 – LGBT Awareness

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has just launched a new essential learning module: Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, developed with the input and expertise of their partners. 

This module replaces the existing essential learning module on TURAS. Health Boards and health and social care organisations are encouraged to use this module to meet their essential learning needs – a Once for Scotland approach. 

The module will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

You can access the module on the TURAS Equality and Diversity Zone under Introduction to equality, diversity and human rights

Staff Mindfullness Programme

If you would like to find out more about mindfulness and the programme being ran for staff across NHSGGC please visit: Mindfulness – NHSGGC

The Staff Disability Forum exists to provide a support network for staff and to facilitate positive changes in the organisation. Staff engagement and feedback is vital for the organisation to work together. The Staff Disability Forum was established in 2015. 

If you would like to join our Staff Disability Forum please contact: ggc.staffdisabilityforum@nhs.scot and if you wish to join the Forum’s mailing list, please be assured that your personal details will not be disclosed and you can be part of the Forum anonymously. Emails sent will always be blind copied.

The Forum has a social media presence on Facebook.

To be added to our mailing list, please email ggc.staffdisabilityforum@nhs.scot.

Please see the drop-down below for information about the Neurodivergent Sub-Group.

Staff Disability Forum Chair, Vice-Chairs and Board Champion

Atika Sharma is Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Learning Disability Physiotherapist within Glasgow City HSCP. Atika looks forward to continuing to grow and develop our Disability Staff Forum.

Kieran Reilly, a Clinical Technologist in Diagnostics joined as Forum Vice-Chair in April 2025 and looks forward to working with Atika and Forum members. Kieran is “…passionate about championing inclusion and justice within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, for staff with disabilities – especially those with hidden disabilities. I strive to create a more understanding and supportive workplace where all employees feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.”

Martin Savage is Vice-Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Carers’ Information Worker within Glasgow City HSCP.

Dianne Foy has been a non-exec member of the NHS Board since June 2022 and at the end of 2024, welcomed the opportunity to take on the role of Disability champion. Dianne has had a strong interest in Equalities throughout her career, taking on roles as a Unison Trade Union rep and Equalities champion during her time working in the public sector. In more recent years she has retrained as a counsellor, working primarily with neurodivergent clients, many of whom also have co-occurring disabilities or chronic health conditions. Dianne is a late diagnosed autistic person whose career change was forced by Long Covid, so equal treatment for disabled people also has personal significance. Dianne is a member of the East Renfrewshire Integrated Joint Board, the Clinical and Care Governance Committee and the Population Health and Wellbeing committee, frequently raising issues related to disability in these meetings.

We asked some of our members for their feedback on what the Staff Forum and Networks mean to them.

See some examples below to get a feel for their value and impact:

• “The LGBTQ+ Staff Forum is a collective of likeminded individuals where we can promote and campaign for equality, inclusion and awareness.”

• “I would love to see more people accessing the Staff Disability Forum for support, to contribute and above all, to make a difference. Sharing good practice is as helpful as raising concerns. You can contact in confidence, or you can join meetings and know that your voice is heard and valued.”

• “The BME Network has provided me a safe space out with my own department where I feel heard and am able to talk about issues that affect me at work. As a consequence I have felt empowered to raise concerns and begin a journey towards influencing a real change in culture within the workplace.”

• “I joined the LGBTQ+ Staff Forum as I think visibility is really important. Growing up I didn’t see gay people in everyday life. I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

• “Staff who are supported and allowed to work to their strengths can achieve amazing things.”

• “The Network is a really good place to share my own experiences and hear the voices of others who share my protected characteristic.”

If you have feedback to share of your experience as a Staff Forum or Network member please contact ggc.staffexperience@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 

NHSGGC has a legal responsibility as set out in The Equality Act (2010) that states we must show due regard to:

• Promotion of equality of opportunity
• Prevention of discrimination, victimisation and harassment
• Fostering of good relations

The Equality Act (2010) sets out nine protected characteristics under which protection and redress are afforded. Many of us have more than one of these protected characteristics.

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation

The Equality Act’s revised provision includes The Fairer Scotland Duty 2018. It states that NHSGGC must pay due regard to reducing inequality of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage when making strategic decisions.

The pages within the “Celebrating Equality, Diversity and Inclusion” detail a broad spectrum of activity, resources and contacts. All are linked to NHSGGC’s commitment and legal responsibility as set out in The Equality Act (2010).

‘A Fairer NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’ explains how the organisation will uphold the law by addressing inequalities. The document also covers people’s right not to be discriminated against in the workplace. It includes the organisation’s progress on mainstreaming equality into NHSGGC and Equality Outcomes.

Additionally, NHSGGC is progressing work against the key national recommendations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission report, following the Commission’s inquiry across public sector organisations. Equality networks take forward the recommendations either nationally or locally. The Workforce Equality Action Plan aligns the recommendations against it’s five stands.

Our Workforce Equality Group is an established forum of stakeholders with appointed Executive sponsors and non-Executive Champions from across the organisation. These include Human Resources and Organisational Development, Equalities and Human Rights, Staff Side Colleagues, Corporate Communications and Equality Group, Staff Forum / Network Chairs, and our Executive Sponsor and Champions.

Our primary focus is to champion change, shape strategy and policy to ensure inclusivity for all throughout NHSGGC.

In order to do this most effectively we:

• Collaboratively develop the NHSGGC Workforce Equality Action Plan and oversee its delivery – the 2024/25 Plan can be viewed by clicking this link
• Ensure we operate in alignment with the Board’s organisational values
• Encourage a behavioural approach which promotes and embeds the principles of dignity and respect across our workforce
• Provide access to the relevant information, standards, policies, procedures and legislation to ensure equality, diversity and inclusivity throughout the organisation
• Provide governance and assurance to support, align and engage Staff Forums and Networks 

NHSGGC has a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and we are continuously working towards building a Better Workplace. The One NHS Family campaign raises awareness of our commitment to acknowledging, supporting and celebrating our diverse workforce.

COVID-19 highlighted the many health and wider inequalities in our society. It became increasingly clear that COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on many who already face disadvantage. The One NHS Family campaign took coordinated action to support those at risk across our organisation.

We continue to work together to make sure we value and respect colleagues for who they are, and for the unique part they play in our organisation. We are working to embed a ‘zero tolerance’ response to behaviour that contradicts our organisational commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Practical support and activity provided by One NHS Family includes promoting and supporting NHSGGC’s Staff Forums / Network, offering peer support, employee training opportunities and pioneering career development programmes.

NHSGGC is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Everyone has a part to play in supporting our culture, acknowledging equality, diversity and inclusion, and building a Fairer Workplace for all.

Our diverse staff group brings a richness of perspectives. It is critical that we treat everyone working for NHSGGC fairly and consistently, with dignity and respect. We will be better supporting our diverse patient community in an environment where diversity valued.

NHSGGC can only be truly inclusive if every single one of us commits and contributes.

Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2025

NHSGGC are delighted to be hosting our third Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Conference for people managers on the 14 August 2025, for more information and to book your place, please click this link.

Key Stakeholder Groups

To continue to drive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion forward at an organisational level, five key stakeholder groups contribute to the delivery of Equality and Diversity activity:

• Workforce Equality Group

• One NHS Family

• Staff Disability Forum

• BME Network

• LGBTQ+ Forum

You can find information on these groups by clicking the buttons below.

Organisational Values supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We encourage every employee to embrace our organisational values of Care and Compassion; Dignity & Respect, Openness and Transparency and Quality & Teamwork. By embracing our values, we continue Growing our Great Community, where everybody feels supported, valued and part of NHSGGC.

The Equality Act 2010 offers protection towards groups with ‘Protected Characteristics’. The Act explains the nine protected characteristics.

As part of our ongoing committment to Building a Better Workplace and Growing our Great Community, we have a range of commitments and activities currently underway as you will see described below.

Reasonable Adjustment Guidance

More recently, we have launched the new Reasonable Adjustment Guidance to support employees with a disability, health condition or diversity in the workplace, so they can be supported to have a great experience at work.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Calendar

The 2025 calendar was developed as a resource for staff to demonstrate a visible and supportive role which is committed to respecting and celebrating diverse communities, cultures and faiths. The calendar provides details of the main religious festivals, major national and international days of celebration or memorial which reflect the diverse population of our staff and community.

We focus on the six major world faiths – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. This does not mean we do not recognise that there are many more faiths equally as important. We also recognise that a large proportion of our NHSGGC community may have no religion or belief.

Did you know you can easily add key events and religious holidays from around the world to your Outlook calendar?

Here’s how:

1.    Open your Outlook calendar.

2.    Click on “My Calendars” on the left-hand side.

3.    Select “Add Calendar” and choose “From Country.”

4.    In the search bar, find the country where the event or holiday is widely observed.

5.    Select the calendar you wish to add and click “OK.”

Now, you’ll see important dates automatically added to your calendar, helping you be more mindful of diverse cultures.

By embracing these small steps, we can build a more inclusive and respectful work environment for everyone.

If you would like to find out more about dates and events included within this calendar, NHSGGC libraries have a range of books containing relevant information. This resource list will be updated throughout the year.

More Information