Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has again been awarded the Navajo Charter Mark in recognition of its commitment and knowledge of the specific needs, issues and barriers facing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and plus (LGBT+) people.

The Navajo Merseyside & Cheshire LGBTIQA+ Charter Mark is an equality mark sponsored by In-Trust Merseyside and supported by the LGBTIQA+ Community networks across Merseyside. The Charter Mark signifies an organisation’s goals of developing good practice and a commitment and knowledge of the specific needs, issues and barriers facing LGBTIQA+ people in Merseyside.

The Navajo Merseyside Consultative Partnership was formed in 2010 and more than 60 cross-sector partners have now achieved the Charter Mark standards.

The Trust was originally awarded the Charter Mark in 2015 but has been reaccredited after undergoing a scheduled and stringent reassessment that highlighted its commitment to providing supportive services to staff, patients and the wider community.

Jane Royds, Director of HR at the Trust, said: “The Charter Mark assessment takes into account an organisation’s practices and policies, how it trains and recruits, and how it engages with staff, and I am very proud that the Trust has received this recognition.

“By retaining our Navajo Charter Mark, we are once again sending a strong message that we are doing everything we can to support the LGBT+ community.’’