'SACK NHS CHIEFS' CALL AS TRANS ROW NURSE CLEARED OF MISCONDUCT

Health Board comes under spotlight as Sandie Peggie's tribunal resumes

- By Richard Elias

CALLS have been made for the wholesale sacking of a health board after a nurse suspended for raising her concerns about a male transgender doctor using female changing rooms had gross misconduct charges against her dropped.

Sandie Peggie’s sensational victory means major problems for both NHS Fife for whom she works, as well as the Scottish Government, whose contentious stance over such issues has caused outrage among the public.

MSP who broke ranks and demanded health board bosses stand down following the decision.

Ms Peggie had been suspended from her role last year after objecting to Dr Beth Upton, a biological male who is transgender, using female facilities at the hospital where they both worked.

The nurse faced allegations of misconduct, failures of patient care and misgendering.

An employment tribunal hearing began in Dundee in February but it was then adjourned until yesterday.

But on Tuesday evening, NHS Fife admitted there was "insufficient evidence to support a finding of misconduct".

Speaking yesterday, Ms Peggie's solicitor Margaret Gribbon said: "The evening before the resuming of her tribunal, Sandie Peggie received confirmation from Fife Health Board that following a disciplinary hearing, none of the gross misconduct allegations against her were upheld.

"This follows a disciplinary hear ing on June 25, which considered four gross misconduct allegations: two relating to patient care failures, one of "misgendering" Dr Upton, and one relating to her encounter with Dr Upton in the workplace female-only changing room on Christmas Eve 2023.

"Sandie is relieved and delighted that this 18-month long internal process has concluded and cleared her of all allegations."

Taxpayers

News of the stunning victory prompted an outpouring of support for Ms Peggie and relief that common sense had finally prevailed in a case which has so far cost the taxpayer £222,000.