Reports say that the nurse who is at the center of a tribunal brought against NHS Fife has been invited to a hearing on conduct and could be dismissed.
Sandie Peggie filed a claim against NHS Fife for an employment tribunal after being suspended because she complained that she shared a changing area with Dr Beth Upton.
Peggie was heard to have encountered her colleague twice in the changing room, but on Christmas Eve 2023 due to heavy bleeding she felt “embarrassed” and “intimidated” to share the space.
Dr Upton complained to the Health Board that Peggie’s behavior was bullying. Peggie’s suspension and leave was imposed in January 2024.
In her tribunal case, which has been pending for two weeks, she alleges that NHS Fife violated the Equality Act and sexually harassed her. NHS guidelines state that trans women and men may use changing rooms in accordance with their gender identities.
The employment judge, in a rare instance, allowed the legal team of the claimant to refer to Dr Upton by using male pronouns, while the team of the respondents used female pronouns.
Peggie was asked to appear at a hearing for misconduct this week because she misrepresented her colleague’s gender. According to the allegations, she used male pronouns to refer to Dr Upton and to speak to other NHS staff.
A panel from NHS Fife, following an independent internal investigation, will also examine whether Peggie has compromised patient safety in refusing to work with Dr Upton.
Her legal team says that Dr Upton made up reports about being “cornered and “harangued ” in the changing rooms by Peggie.
Margaret Gribbon said that her solicitor: “I am able to confirm that the handling and decision of the investigation, as well as the decision to proceed with a disciplinary proceeding, will be the subject matter of separate legal proceedings before the Employment Tribunal against Fife Health Board.”
Peggie acknowledged that she called Dr Upton male during the tribunal proceedings but denied an angry confrontation.
Dr Upton said Peggie harassed her for being transphobic. She accused her of bringing up the case of Isla Brryson, who was a transwoman and a double-rapist.
Murdo Fraser, Scottish MSP, said that it was “beyond comprehension” that a dedicated nurse with 30 years’ service in the NHS could now be facing the sack.
This sad saga exposes a stark reality of Sturgeon’s extremist trans agenda, where those who speak up in defense of women and girls rights to single-sex facilities for access are the ones wrongly punished.
“Sandie Peggie was failed by NHS Fife and SNP ministers, who turned a blind-eye to this issue. Serious questions need to be answered regarding the handling of this situation.”
Peggie returned to work following the incident in the changing room, but she now works at another hospital within the trust.
NHS Fife’s spokesperson said that they were unable to comment due to confidentiality on issues relating to specific staff members.
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