Nurse Jennifer Melle, a Christian nurse, reached an out-of-court settlement with Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust after she was disciplined in May 2024 for refusing to use female pronouns for a six-foot convicted sex offender with a beard who identified as a woman, according to major media reports. The patient subjected Melle to screaming racist abuse and threats of violence, according to multiple reports. The trust cleared Melle of wrongdoing and agreed a settlement ahead of a tribunal, major media outlets reported.
Melle was suspended in March 2025 after going public with her experience, according to major media reports. She was reinstated in February after a disciplinary meeting concluded she had done nothing wrong, according to multiple reports. However, Melle remains subject to two ongoing Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) investigations, the status of which is unclear. According to Christian Concern, Melle was suspended without explanation on a vague allegation of potential gross misconduct, and she was banned from hospital premises and escorted out in tears while on full pay. Melle has launched an appeal against the trust for discrimination, harassment, victimization, and breaches, according to research sources.
This was not the first time Melle faced punishment over pronoun usage. She was previously punished for saying 'Mister' to a transgender prisoner, according to research sources. That prisoner had been jailed for luring boys into sex acts by pretending to be a teenage girl on social media. In legal proceedings, NHS lawyers termed Melle's biblical beliefs on gender 'not worthy of respect in a democratic society', according to research sources.
It's completely crazy. I fully support Jennifer Melle.
The trust issued a written warning to the patient that racist language will not be tolerated, a trust spokesperson confirmed. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, described Melle's treatment as 'completely crazy' and expressed full support, according to major media reports.
In a separate but related case, Dr Beth Upton, who identifies as a woman, is now working at two NSW hospitals in Australia, according to major media reports. Dr Upton previously worked for NHS Fife and was involved in a dispute over women-only changing facilities. Nurse Sandie Peggie took legal action against NHS Fife after being suspended following a complaint from Dr Upton, according to major media reports. An employment tribunal found that NHS Fife harassed Peggie, according to Employment Judge Sandy Kemp. However, Peggie's claims of discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation were dismissed, according to major media reports. Peggie has indicated she will appeal the decisions, she said.
NHS Fife spent more than AU$754,000 on legal costs linked to the tribunal, the health board confirmed. Dr Upton left NHS Fife at the end of 2025, according to NHS Fife.
Several unknowns remain. The specific allegations that led to Melle's suspension in March 2025 have not been disclosed. The status of the two ongoing NMC investigations into Melle is unclear. It is also not known whether the transgender patient in Melle's case actually received a written warning and what the outcome was. The exact findings of the employment tribunal regarding NHS Fife's harassment of Peggie have not been fully detailed, and the current status of Peggie's appeal is pending.