Allyship in practice

Intersectionality, and positionality, are integral to the provision of culturally safe and inclusive care. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of proficiency which came into effect on 1 September, mandate that a paramedic must recognise the impact of culture, equality and diversity on practice, and practise in a non-discriminatory and inclusive manner (HCPC, 2023).

Sexually and/or gender-diverse people constitute approximately 10.4% of the adult population of England and Wales (Office for National Statistics, 2023). On average, 1 in 10 adult patients will self-identify as being sexually and/or gender diverse. Similarly, while about 1 in 10 paramedics also identify as being sexually and/or gender diverse—many will not disclose their true identity to work colleagues for fear of exclusion or discrimination (Sengstock and Curtis, 2023). Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace environment is crucial for the success and wellbeing of all employees—not just those who may identify as sexually and/or gender diverse. A powerful tool which can assist with the creation of an inclusive and supportive workplace is allyship, underpinned by the principle of individuals—regardless of their background—actively supporting and advocating for marginalised groups.