West Herts hospital staff could wear new lanyards to identify their roles – in a bid to end gender stereotyping

STAFF at hospitals in west Hertfordshire could now wear new lanyards to identify their roles – in a bid to end gender stereotyping.

Too often – according to a leading clinicians – people make assumptions about the medical role people have, based on gender.

But the new lanyards clearly identify who is a ‘consultant’, ‘doctor’ or ‘advanced practitioner’.

And they are designed to overcome any gender-based assumptions – that could impact on real-life emergency situations.

The lanyards have already been introduced by the West Herts Teaching Hospitals Trust – which operates Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City hospitals.

And they have been welcomed by Dr Rachel Hoey, who is emergency department consultant and divisional director at the Trust.

“People still frequently make assumptions about someone’s role based on their gender,” said Dr Hoey.

“We hope these lanyards will make a difference for our colleagues because they identify the varied clinical roles that staff have in our hospitals.

“They also make it easy to spot the most senior clinicians.

“This really helps in emergency situations such as cardiac arrests which requires a multi-disciplinary team response.”

The new lanyards were highlighted to the latest meeting of the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals Trust board.

And according to a report presented by board chair Phil Townsend, they will ‘ensure female doctors are easily identified as doctors by staff and patients’.

“A selection of lanyards that allow for swift and accurate recognition of medical staff has been made available to the Trust by members of the End Sexism in Medicine Network,” says the report.

“This is essential in critical situations such as a cardiac arrest.

“These lanyards identify different roles, such as ‘consultant’, ‘doctor’ or ‘advanced practitioner’.

“They will also ensure female doctors are easily identified as doctors by staff and patients, an issue which has recently been discussed in the network’s workshops.

“I would like to thank the network for their support of our clinical staff. ”

The item was reported to the board at their latest meeting, on June 1.