University Hospital Southampton has begun a new project of adjusting a series of single occupancy toilets around the site to be usable gender-free.

The project is one that has been in the pipeline for four years, based on the hospital LGBT+ network taking another step towards hosting a more inclusive culture at the Trust. It follows along from other projects the network has recently undertaken as a part of this mission, such as further engagement with diverse communities of individuals as well as various past and upcoming social events.

The LGBT+ Network is one of the Trust's voluntary staff networks, who work with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) team, ensuring that the Trust adheres to the Equal Rights Act. The aim is to ensure the equal treatment of all staff and patients and to support staff in removing any discrimination experienced or witnessed.

The project was put forward to the ED&I team, who agreed that implementing the change would benefit the Trust and show a commitment to our Trust values. The LGBT+ network contacted many other networks in Trusts across the South, many of which are now looking to use our example as a guideline going forward to bring this change to their own workspaces.

The project involves putting up signs on select single-occupancy toilets around our hospital sites. In some cases this will also involve changing the locks to facilities, so that individuals have as much privacy as possible, allowing any gender to use the cubical space freely and comfortably. In total, thirteen toilets will be adjusted around the hospital with the adaptation cost estimated to be around £3,060.

Stephanie Warren, a Medical Engineering Technician based at UHS is leading the project as co-chair of the LGBT+ Network, in conjunction with the ED&I and Estates Management teams. She has commented that the project would bring the Trust “a step ahead” towards its goals of promoting an inclusive, diverse, and accepting environment at the hospital. Stephanie desires the patient and staff experience at UHS to be one where individuals have “the right to be who they are without the judgement of others”, stating that “the right to use a bathroom without fear or shame is a fundamental one”.

Of the work involved with the gender free toilets, Stephanie echoed that the project would fit into the wider values and vision of UHS. She discussed that setting up these toilets will put “patient comfort first and make sure that we are working as a Trust to support everyone to feel accepted for who they are in their environment”.

With the LGBT+ Networks’ success in this project and the positive feedback and support they have received from this step forward, they are pushing forward with more changes and are now looking to have biowaste bins put in all toilets, regardless of gender signage.