Is there a GC network for NHS staff like e.g. SEEN?

[SquelchyFelch]

And if not, who wants to start one? I work for NHS and am concerned at the unchallenged ideology creeping into policies and directives which centre some protected characteristics over others; NHS England/Confederation guidance on same-sex care or same-sex wards etc., Diversity and Inclusion training and documents

I work in maternity services and have noticed language being changed and policies being adopted which appear to value the rights of one minority much higher than others.

Please let me know if there is an NHS network already set up which I can join? If there isn't yet then I feel inspired by the emergence of SEEN and would like to investigate setting up something similar so our voices can be heard. Any advice welcome 😊

Sorry if the question’s been asked in the SEEN thread, I didn’t have time to read it all

I don't think it has. I know SEEN itself isn’t open to NHS employees. I'm in the odd hinterland between the 2, so did get into SEEN. I'm not aware of an NHS equivalent, but I don't know how many staff networks are NHS wide rather than Trust based.

I’m in, if you’re setting one up, OP.

I'm in too.

(and also placemarking, but in a deliberately supportive sort of way)

CAN-SG are for health professionals. Closed network tho, you need to be proposed by a member. What were you hoping an NHS network might achieve? (Genuine question which I can't seem to rephrase as not sarky-sounding).

https://can-sg.org/ this one? Looks useful, but on a quick look is it more of a campaigning group than a staff support network? And clinical rather than all staff.

Yes and yes. Campaigning for things as mentioned in the OP though (language etc). Don't know of a wider GC NHS support group though I would like to join if there was one

I don't know of one but if I did I'd join it like a shot.

Our Trust has a very vocal and visible LGBTQ+ group (did I need to know that X from Y division is bi and in a polycule with a man and a woman? Today on bisexual visibility day apparently I and every other employee of the Trust needed to know that via an all staff email and a piece on the website); a less visible but getting more traction BAME group; a quieter still MH and neurodiversity group; and a big fat nothing for women. And since they're Stonewalled up the arse, even if there were a women's group it'd be open to anyone who identifies as a woman so not a women's group at all.

I'm fucking sick of the capture of the NHS, it's ludicrous.

Not NHS but involved in healthcare policy and (just about) holding out. Would be up for a group in non-NHS allowed.

Thanks for the replies. I guess we’d need to figure out what our aims would be and if it’s achievable only in our local Trusts or more of a network of groups across the country…

The CAN-SG looks great but seems to be mostly aimed at professionals working in the field of gender specifically? Although their projects/aims are great.

I’d hope to form a group that could offer alternative viewpoints (women’s) and challenge some the indoctrination that’s happening. Or is it too late and we’ll end up screaming into the void??! 😖

Have any of you got the SARI produced ‘supporting trans and non-binary people’ doc on your trust intranets? And I redid my online diversity training today and it all made my blood boil slightly

I’m surprised there aren’t more midwifery colleagues speaking out against the erasure of the word women from our docs etc?!?

I’m getting moved out of the NHS in April so allied HPs should be allowed imo 👍🏼

May I suggest you ask on the SEEN thread if one of the organisers could DM you.

I am fairly sure they are on the thread and could advise how they went about setting it up.

In the CS there were existing diversity groups and they probably followed their examples to get central recognition.

Remember DHSC is staffed by CS, if you can find their SEEN leaders they may help facilitate getting approval at DHSC level for a cross NHS group.

Can-sg is for any clinician, not just those in gender services, we're a good bunch, come join :) there's also some sub groups of various types of clinicians, like GPs, psychiatrists etc. We also welcome non NHS and retired staff too.

Definitely https://can-sg.org/

Women's Rights Network also has several Special Interest Groups including Health (for members working in or retired from the NHS and other Health Services)
https://www.womensrights.network/

I was at the CAN-SG online meeting yesterday evening (I'm a former midwife but we didn't have to state any clinical role to sign up to just those meetings) and they made it clear many people were actively involved in CAN-SG. The panel had a GP as co-chair, a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist and a psychoanalyst. They said they have paramedic members, nurses, midwives , all sorts of professional groups now. They're all going to come into contact with the sex-confused (my term, not CAN-SG's).

I've asked for my comment to be deleted because I don't want repercussions from work. But you're right @Rightsraptor how would they admit a man on a stag do in a dress? It's absolutely batshit.

Ah, you saw it? Good. I suspected you'd deleted for self-protection.

Carry on fighting the good fight. It's all we can do.