The Chief Executive of Royal Trinity Hospice, Dallas Pounds, has been nominated in the category of Positive Role Model for LGBT in this year’s National Diversity Awards. A palliative care nurse by training and an openly gay woman, Dallas has established herself as a campaigner for LGBT issues in the field of death and dying and driven Trinity to become the leading LGBT-friendly hospice.

Trinity was the first hospice to march in London Pride in 2014 and this year will lead 8 other hospices in the march. To improve the care of LGBT patients and their families, Trinity established a LGBT Friends Group which meets regularly to discuss how the hospice can better support and engage the LGBT community. Trinity was also the first hospice in the country to sign up as a Stonewall Diversity champion and the first to appear in the Workplace Equality Index, placing in the top 300. Trinity regularly hosts inspirational LGBT speakers, like Ayla Holden (a Trans woman and RAF pilot) and Lord Browne.

Upon hearing of the award nomination, Dallas said, “I am so proud to have been nominated for this award. As a gay woman and a Chief Executive I am passionate about being a positive role model for LGBT people, and for inclusion and diversity in all its forms. End of life and hospice care is still misunderstood, and when coupled with the challenges LGBT communities can face when accessing all areas of healthcare, I believe I have a unique opportunity with my brilliant colleagues at Trinity to provide positive and open leadership in the field. “

Nominations are now open and close on June 20th 2016. To endorse Dallas’ nomination, please visit www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk, click Nominate and enter Dallas Pounds. There you can learn more about Dallas and vote for her to win the Positive Role Model Award for LGBT.