Partial victory for nurse in NHS transgender changing room row

Nurse Sandie Peggie (right) with her solicitor. Jane Barlow/PA Wire

By Sarah Ward, PA Media

A nurse who objected to sharing a female changing room with a transgender doctor has won a claim for harassment in her employment tribunal case against a health board, but other allegations of discrimination were dismissed.

Sandie Peggie was suspended by NHS Fife after complaining about having to share a changing room with Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy on Christmas Eve 2023.

She was placed on special leave after Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about patient care.

Peggie had lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment, harassment related to a protected belief, indirect discrimination, and victimisation.

The employment tribunal hearings took place in Dundee before Judge Sandy Kemp earlier this year.

On Monday, in a written judgment, the harassment claim was upheld but allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation were dismissed.