Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network

Join our network as an LGBTQ+ leader, aspiring leader or ally to help influence change across the system.

Delivered by the NHS Confederation, the Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network is a free network for LGBTQ+ leaders, aspiring leaders and allies working across health and care.

We provide a safe, supportive space to connect, learn, and develop through events, campaigns, podcasts, blogs and key reports.

Our network aims to:

Support members and partners to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality in health and care
Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ staff and patients by amplifying under-represented voices and enabling peer learning and peer support
Increase the numbers and visibility of LGBTQ+ staff on boards and in senior leadership positions.

Join us to connect with your peers, champion inclusion and help influence change across the system.

Yes! The network is free to join and open to LGBTQ+ leaders, aspiring leaders and allies.
Sign-up via our short online form. It is free to join if you are an LGBTQ+ leader, aspiring leader or ally working across health and care.
You will receive access to event invitations, a monthly bulletin with the latest developments in equality, diversity and inclusion, alongside opportunities to learn, develop and build connections.
If you are a chair or lead of an LGBTQ+ staff network across the NHS, find out more about our Health and Care Network of LGBTQ+ Networks.
Access a guide on setting up your own network, which outlines a checklist of key steps to consider when establishing a network within your organisation.
Access our LGBTQ+ inclusion hub, which includes resources and tools to support leaders, aspiring leaders and allies to embed LGBTQ+ inclusion within their organisations.
For general enquiries please email us.

Stay up to date with our news and join the conversation on LinkedIn and X/Twitter @NHSC_LGBTQ.

Featured

Article

Health and Care Network of LGBTQ+ Networks

A network for chairs and leads of LGBTQ+ networks hosted by the Health and Care LGBTQ+ Network.

26 July 2023

Illustration of a diverse group of people holding the trans, bi, non-binary, progress and genderfluid pride flags

Guidance

Health and Care LGBTQ+ Inclusion Framework

A practical framework enabling health and care leaders to create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ staff and service users.

28 September 2022

Intersex inclusive pride flag by Valentino Vecchietti

Guide

Leading for all: supporting trans and non-binary healthcare staff

Supporting leaders to understand the needs of transgender and non-binary colleagues so they can perform their duties and provide high-quality allyship

19 September 2023

News

Inclusive leadership pledge

Sign our inclusive leadership pledge to demonstrate your commitment to being an inclusive leader.

22 March 2023

Latest news and articles

Article

Identifying and actioning the needs of your LGBTQ+ staff

Details on using the NHS Staff Survey data to better understand the experiences of your LGBTQ+ people.

12 July 2022

News

Letter to Rt Hon Liz Truss MP on conversion practices

The NHS Confederation has written to Liz Truss regarding the decision to exclude trans people from the ban on so called conversion therapy.

7 April 2022

Article

Conversion therapy survey findings

Findings from the Health and Care LGBTQ+ Network and the Mental Health Network's survey asking for members' views on the conversion ban consultation.

7 December 2021

News

Supporting trans and non-binary healthcare staff

NHS Confederation launches a Leading For All: Supporting Trans and Non-binary Healthcare Staff report.

6 June 2023

View latest news

Latest blogs

What is the experience of LGBTQ+ NHS staff?

The NHS Staff Survey highlights the inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ staff and is a measure of how our healthcare system cares for those who care for us.

17 May 2023

NHS Voices blogs

To thine own self be true: reflections on authentic leadership

Peter Molyneux shares the challenges of being authentic while in a leadership role, and what it means to be an authentic leader.

27 September 2022

Confed Viewpoint blogs

Barclay has attacked the founding principles of the NHS

Equality, diversity, and inclusion roles have always been key to the NHS and mustn't be compromised.

10 November 2023

NHS Voices blogs

Delivering inclusive leadership through actions not words

Layla McCay states the case for inclusive leadership with examples of where things have gone well – and not so well – for two NHS leaders.

28 June 2022

Stay informed

Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network bulletin

If you are a LGBTQ+ leader or ally, we can keep you up to date with network news and activities, direct to your inbox.

Interested in membership?

Be part of a diverse network of people from across health and care.

Become a member

Upcoming events

A patient sits at her kitchen table with a laptop out in front of her. She is dressed casually and waiving "goodbye" during a remote appointment with her doctor via a video call.

Webinar

Watch - Empowering Every Woman: International Women’s Day 2025

Watch highlights from the Health and Care Women Leaders Network's International Women's Day 2025 webinar on Friday 7 March.

7 March 2025 10:00 - 12:00 GMT

A seminar leader presenting to delegates.

Webinar

Leadership masterclass: Navigating your next job search - March

An interactive masterclass to prepare you for your next leadership role in the NHS.

12 March 2025 12:00 - 14:00 GMT

Conference

Mental Health Network Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025

Join us in Leeds as we unite leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the mental health sector.

23 April 2025 09:30 - 16:30 GMT

Webinar

InFocus: What’s the future for integrated care systems?

Join NHS Confederation colleagues to hear what’s next for ICSs.

23 April 2025 10:00 - 10:45 GMT

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) programme supports members to improve EDI accountability and leadership, tackling inequality through our EDI networks and partnerships.

Discover more about our EDI Programme