Pride Badges - FOI Response Register

I am aware that Scottish government has launched a project known as the ‘Pride Badge and Pride Pledge’ following work undertaken by a Working Group in 2020, and that the project was launched in the middle of the Covid pandemic.  Individual NHS Boards were invited to opt-in to the project.

Within that context and in line with the Freedom of Information [Scotland] Act 2022, I am writing to ask you to provide me with:

1. The identity of the NHS Shetland employee responsible for signing-off the decision that NHS Shetland participate in the project and who authorised the launch.

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested. NHS Shetland is unable to identify a specific individual. Implementation was following a national directive / guidance and materials from Scottish Government. 

2. A summary of the NHS Shetland project, including costings, outcomes set for success, data gathering and handling arrangements, overall timetable, and plans for project evaluation.

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested. There is no project plan available.   Launch of directive would have been discussed through Area Partnership Forum to generate understanding.  Promotion would have been via the local intranet banner.  When pledges were received, pride badges were issued      

3. A copy of the government circular distributed to all Health Boards advising of the project and setting out the terms of how Health Boards could opt-in to the project.

Attached 1, 2

4. The date when the project as operated by NHS Shetland came to an end.

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested. An end date was not established.

5. How many employees in NHS Shetland signed up to wear the badge and take the pledge?

106

6. how many employees in NHS Shetland still deemed ‘active’ badge wearers and upholders of the pledge
   
   106
    
7. what data gathering and recording system is used to log NHS Shetland employees who are badge wearers and pledge upholders, and what level of security is attached to accessing the data

Pride Pledges received are scanned and saved in a folder on the network, accessible by HR staff only, alongside a summary spreadsheet with employee name / department 

8. a copy of a formal evaluation of the NHS Shetland project

No local evaluation has taken place.  Feedback on uptake was provided to NHS Scotland

9. the identity of the employee responsible for deciding that the NHS Shetland ‘Pride Badge and Pride Pledge’ project did not need to be subject to an Equality & Diversity Impact Assessment before being activated  

Not identifiable

10. what arrangements, allowances or mitigations in the design and implementation of the project were put in place by NHS Shetland to avoid any adverse impact on people who hold beliefs which are commonly termed ‘gender critical’ and who do not accept the concept that transwomen can be women

 This was a national initiative open to  all Scottish health boards to participate.  All Staff were  given the opportunity to opt in and sign a pledge form to demonstrate they are an LGBTQ+ ally or member of the LGBTQ+ community.  Badge wearers provide a visible presence to other staff and service users that they are a safe contact within NHS Shetland

• The voluntary nature of the initiative means that only those who wish to visually indicate they are an LGBTQ+ champion can do so.  Individuals with gender critical beliefs can remain unaffected and continue to wear their uniforms without any pressure from the organisation to sign the pledge or wear the badge. 
• The ethos of this initiative is all about ‘freedom of choice’ as opposed to dictating a narrative or imposing a belief system upon another individual.
• The Pride badge was initiated to recognise and support minority groups.  Whilst trans equality is represented within the badge design, it does not define the overall messaging.