Health chiefs DID harass a nurse who complained about a trans doctor in female changing rooms, a tribunal has ruled.
Nurse 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.
Sandie Peggie WAS harassed by health chiefs after she complained, a tribunal has ruledCredit: Getty
Nurse Sandie Peggie complained about having to share a changing room with Dr Beth Upton, picturedCredit: Alamy
She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about patient care.
Ms Peggie lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr 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.
In a written judgment today, the harassment claim was upheld but allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation were dismissed.
The Tribunal found that the Board had harassed Mrs Peggie by failing to revoke Dr Upton’s access to the female changing – even on an interim basis – while the altercation was investigated.
It also criticised the “unreasonable length of time to investigate the allegations” against Ms Peggie and raised unsubstantiated claims that she abandoned her post to avoid working with Dr Upton.
Ms Peggie said: “I am beyond relieved and delighted that the tribunal has found that my employer Fife Health Board harassed me after I complained about having to share a female-only changing room with a male colleague.
“The last two years have been agonising for me and my family.
“I will have much more to say in the coming days once I’ve been able to properly consider the lengthy judgment and discuss it with my legal team.
“For now, I am looking forward to spending a quiet few days with my family.
“I’m so grateful to my incredible legal team Naomi Cunningham, lead counsel; Dr Charlotte Elves, junior counsel; and my solicitor Margaret Gribbon.
“There are many others I would like to thank and will do so in the coming days.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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