NHS England will be represented at a series of Pride events this summer, starting with London Pride this weekend.

This is first time that members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender plus (LGBT+) staff network, together with their straight ally colleagues, friends and families, will march representing the organisation.

The move marks a celebration of NHS England’s commitment to LGBT+ equality, diversity and inclusion.

Stephen Moir, NHS England’s Chief People Officer, said:  “Supporting NHS England’s LGBT+ network and its members to represent both the organisation and the network at Pride events across the country is really important and is something I’m personally delighted we are able to do this year.

“As an employer we’re committed to becoming more inclusive, more representative and ensuring we really live the NHS Values of Respect and Dignity and Everyone Counts in the workplace.

“The network has already been instrumental in helping us to listen to, learn from and better engage with the full range of experience that LGBT+ colleagues working in the organisation have and is actively helping to improve all of our working lives.

“The timing of making such a commitment could not be more important, or more poignant, following the tragic events in Orlando and the subsequent support shown for the LGBT+ community across the world.

“Being able to mark our support as an employer for LGBT+ equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace by attending Pride events may seem a very small step in this context, and it is, but this is an important part of supporting the NHS England LGBT+ network and our LGBT+ colleagues to continue to develop and grow further.”

The LGBT+ staff network will join NHS Employers at events in London tomorrow and Leeds on August 4 as well as the march in Manchester in August 27.

• Look out for a blog from Siobhán Clibbens on Monday about the London Pride event.