Patrick Vernon Shares his Reflections on Pride
Patrick Vernon Shares his Reflections on Pride
As Pride Month 2025 comes to a close, Professor Patrick Vernon OBE FrHistS, Chair of NHS England’s Equality and Inclusion Advisory Group, reflects on the continued importance of standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities.
In a recent video message, he reinforced a clear message:
“It’s about rights, it’s about recognition, it’s about respect.”
Pride Month serves as a time to promote the history, contribution, and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. In the NHS, one of the most diverse institutions in the UK.
“We are a multicultural, multi-secular society, but part of that society is about recognising the intersectionality of people, particularly staff who work for the NHS. We reflect Britain.”
Professor Vernon emphasised that both staff and patients from LGBTQ+ backgrounds must feel valued, respected, and safe within the health service. He also spoke to his personal commitment as an ally, stating:
“I have always spoken out against homophobia and discrimination affecting LGBTQ+ communities. If you don’t stand up side by side as an ally, then people feel ‘are my experiences valued, respected, do I feel safe to work here?'”
The call to action for NHS leaders is clear:
“If they see racism, discrimination of any sort, they need to stamp it out and call it out. That way, people feel that they are respected, they have that acknowledgement, and they know they can come to work feeling safe.”
This message aligns with broader efforts to ensure the NHS is inclusive and equitable not just during Pride Month,
but every day of the year.
🎥 Watch the full video message here.