Trans row health chiefs accused of 'punishing' nurse over changing room protest

NHS Fife were accused of trying to "punish" Sandie Peggie for "saying no" to a biological man using the female changing rooms.

- By David Walker Scottish Politics Reporter

The nurse confronted transgender medic Dr Beth Upton for using the single-sex facilities on Christmas Eve 2023 and was suspended from work as a result.

Ms Peggie's employment tribunal yesterday heard from Angela Glancy, who was in charge of the disciplinary probe against her.

She said she was tasked with investigating three incidents involving Ms Peggie that were all reported to her by Dr Upton.

They were: the one in the changing rooms; one where the nurse allegedly walked out of a resuscitation room when the medic walked in; and a third when she refused to talk directly to Dr Upton about a patient who had left the A&E waiting area.

It was put to Ms Glancy by Ms Peggie's counsel Naomi Cunningham that there was very little evidence to back up the latter two accusations.

Dr Upton said he had taken notes on his phone, but the investigator didn't ask to see them.

Ms Cunningham suggested that was because she was "too anxious" about what would happen if she "challenged Dr Upton".

The witness disagreed and counsel then asked why Ms Glancy hadn't investigated Ms Peggie's claim that Dr Upton was a "known troublemaker and bully". The medic told her he had "no prior issues in the workplace" but these concerns were not followed up.

Ms Cunningham said: "The truth is the board is trying to punish Ms Peggie for saying no to Dr Upton," which was also disputed.