TRANS ROW NURSE WAS 'SILENCED' BY NHS BOSSES

Health board accused of preventing her from discussing the dispute with colleagues

- David Walker

Scottish Politics Reporter NHS bosses were yesterday accused of "silencing" Sandie Peggie by forcing her not to discuss her dispute with Dr Beth Upton.

At the same time, a senior doctor publicly praised the transgender medic, left, and informed his colleagues of the ongoing situation.

It was suggested that Fife health board didn't want Ms Peggie to gain the support of other female nurses who also might've objected to sharing a changing room with a man. Head of Nursing Gillian Malone rejected these accusations at the employment tribunal in Dundee, although she did admit that Dr Kate Searle shouldn't have sent out an email to all consultants setting out Dr Upton's side of the story.

Ms Peggie was told not to mention the case due to it being an ongoing matter. She is suing NHS Fife and Dr Upton for sexual harassment after she was suspended from work after confronting Dr Upton - a biological male who identifies as a woman.

The cash-strapped health board has already spent more than £220,000 defending the case, with FM John Swinney backing NHS Fife.

Ms Malone said the nurse behaved in an "unacceptable" way when words were exchanged in the female changing room at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy on Christmas Eve 2023.