The DisAbility Staff Network and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team announced the Trust's membership of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in December 2022 at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
In April 2023, a Sunflower training programme was launched, where health professionals can learn how they can support patients and colleagues who have non-visible disabilities. Upon completion of the training, staff demonstrate their commitment to supporting people who wear the Sunflower by signing a pledge and wearing a white Sunflower badge that shows they are allies and supporters.
The Sunflower is a global initiative aimed at supporting inclusive practices. A non-visible disability can make daily life more challenging for those who have one. Patients and staff at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) who have a non-visible disability may wear a Sunflower lanyard or badge to discreetly indicate they may need additional support, help, or more time.
A non-visible disability can include, but are not limited to:
- Sensory: Deafness, Sight, Speech
- Neurodiversity: Dyslexia, Autism, Dyspraxia
- Physical health: Mobility impairment
Respiratory: Asthma, COPD and breathing difficulties
- Mental health conditions
- Neurological: PoTS, Fibromyalgia, EDS
PHU recognises that not everybody who has a non-visible disability requires additional support, and not everybody who requires additional support will wear a Sunflower lanyard or badge.
Patients can expect:
- an awareness from staff that you may wish extra time or support
- a respectful approach to offering you extra help
- signposting to useful resources that can help you further
The Sunflower launched in 2023 and is available for all staff on ESR. Health professionals, wards, and departments will learn how they can support patients and colleagues who have a non-visible disability. Upon completion of training, staff will demonstrate their commitment to supporting people who wear the Sunflower by signing a pledge and will wear a white Sunflower badge that demonstrates they are allies/supporters.
Mark Orchard, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Sponsor of the DisAbility Staff Network, said: "Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team and DisAbility Staff Network are excited to launch the Sunflower across Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. A hidden disability can make daily life more challenging. Wearing a badge or lanyard discreetly indicates to people they may need additional support, help or more time.
"All staff, across all of the sites from which we provide care, will be invited to participate in training on how to support staff and patients with a Sunflower lanyard or badge. Patients can expect awareness from staff that they may require extra time or support, and a respectful approach to offering extra help. It is important to us the Sunflower is embedded across all our Portsmouth Hospitals sites not least because it aligns with the Trust's vision of 'Working Together to drive excellence in care for our patients and communities' and our EDI strategy aim 'Work towards intentional inclusion.' Overall, ensuring we understand, value and respect everyone."
How to get a Sunflower lanyard or badge
Patients will not be provided with a free Sunflower lanyard at the PHU. However, nearby organisations, subject to availability, offer them to customers for free. Use the Sunflower map to discover where: Find the Sunflower.
Patients can also order Sunflower products from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website hdsunflower.com
If you are not wearing a Sunflower badge or lanyard and would like extra support or adjustment with your experience at PHU, please do not hesitate to ask any member of staff and they will be happy to help you.
If you would like to know more about the Sunflower and how we can help you, please contact the EDI team at EDI