Nurse wins case over room sharing with trans doctor

A nurse who objected to sharing a changing room with a transgender doctor has won a claim for harassment in her employment tribunal against a health board.

- SARAH WARD

Sandie Peggie was suspended 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 Dr Upton, who was born male, made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about patient care.

Ms Peggie had lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010. The employment tribunal hearings took place in Dundee earlier this year. Yesterday, in a written judgment, a claim of sexual harassment was upheld but allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation were dismissed.

Ms Peggie welcomed the decision and said the past two years had been “agonising”.