HSE Rainbow badge featuring the Intersex Inclusive Pride flag

Printed metal HSE (Health Service Executive) Rainbow Badge including the Intersex Inclusive Pride flag, with the HSE logo adjacent, with green letters on a white background, designed by Mike Healy from Linn Dara CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) with the support of Matt Swain from Linn Dara Schools, Dani Hall from Children's Health Ireland and Capiche Design, 2023, attached to a printed leaflet about the HSE Rainbow Badge Scheme

The HSE Rainbow Badge initiative is a way for HSE staff to demonstrate that they are aware of the issues that LGBTI+ people can face when accessing healthcare. In 2018 Dr Michael Farquhar at Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust developed the badge as a visual symbol that anyone can talk to about issues relating to sexuality or gender identity. It shows that the wearer is there to listen without judgement and signpost to further support if needed. Dani Hall (Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Children’s Health Ireland) worked as a consultant in the Evelina just as the badge was launched, and soon after moved to Ireland. Mike Farquhar introduced Dani to Mike Healy (ADON in Linn Dara CAMHS), and Mike then introduced Dani to Matt Swain (Principle of Linn Dara School). Together they developed the Rainbow badge for use in Ireland’s healthcare systems.

Staff must undergo training and access resources before committing to what wearing the badge means. When an individual signs up to wear a badge, they acknowledge why the project is needed and what their responsibility entails.

Originally the badge had the HSE logo on top to the rainbow symbol. Following input from a group of young people the 2021 Intersex Inclusive Pride flag designed by Valentino Vecchietti, was added to ensure the scheme was as inclusive as possible. The HSE logo is adjacent to not dilute the message of the flag.