NHS Nurse Wins Settlement After Suspension for Using Patient's Pronouns

A nurse employed by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust was suspended after using male pronouns to address a transgender patient in May 2024. The patient was a biological male identifying as transgender and was an inmate transferred from a high-security men's prison. Medical records listed the patient as male and used male pronouns.

The patient allegedly responded with racial abuse on three occasions and lunged toward the nurse in an apparent attempt to attack. The nurse reported the incident, stating that referring to the patient with female pronouns conflicted with her Christian faith and values.

Following the report, the trust initiated a disciplinary process against the nurse. The suspension stemmed from the pronoun usage and related conduct during the encounter.

The nurse was scheduled to attend an employment tribunal against the trust starting on Monday.

Instead, both parties reached a confidential settlement. As part of the agreement, the nurse has returned to her position at the hospital. The nurse stated she was glad the employer extended an olive branch.

She expressed looking forward to focusing on her job rather than defending against accusations. The nurse added that no medical professional should face such situations for reporting abuse or adhering to professional duties.

The nurse still faces two investigations launched by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). A spokesman for the trust said racial abuse of staff is never acceptable and issued a written warning to the patient.