Yahoo News BBC's Have I Got News For You pokes fun at Royal Stoke welcome banner with 21 genders and sexualities
The latest episode of Have I Got News For You has poked fun at the Royal Stoke University Hospital over a banner that was recently unfurled in the reception area.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) displayed a banner featuring 21 genders and sexualities, each with their own flag. Several national online publications picked up on the story last week, with The Telegraph reporting that the NHS had been mocked for the 'woke' banner.
In the latest episode, which is repeated on BBC One tonight, presenter Alexander Armstrong asks the two teams: "What did staff at the Royal Stoke Hospital do this week?" It turned out that neither side were aware of the story and after a long pause, captain Paul Merton responded: "The answer is we don't know."
Armstrong continued: "They made a banner declaring their hospital welcomes 21 different genders and sexualities." A surprised Merton replied: "21? Wow."
Opposing team captain Ian Hislop added: "I don't know some of those countries!" Comedian and actor Munya Chawawa, who was on Hislop's team, chipped in: "That's Zimbabwe at the end."
Before moving on to the next clip, Armstrong said in a parting joke: "Each of these 21 genders has its own flag and why not, you know, now cancer's been cured and everything."
Tracy Bullock, Chief Executive of University Hospitals of North Midlands, said: "Investment in a diverse and inclusive NHS enhances trust between patients and healthcare professionals, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and better medical advice and outcomes. We are fully committed to providing high-quality services to everyone and are proud of our CQC outstanding rating for the care we provide.
"We also are pleased with the efforts we are making to ensure that all people are welcome and feel safe to work and be treated in our hospitals without prejudice, all whilst we have and continue to make significant and notable improvements in our operational performance."
