Nurse claims RCN representative discriminated against her

Nurse Sandie Peggie told an employment tribunal she felt “unsupported” and “discriminated against” by a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) representative. The case centres on Ms Peggie’s gender critical beliefs and her dispute over sharing a changing room with a transgender medic.

Ms Peggie stated that the RCN representative, Stuart Fraser, “wasn’t taking it as seriously as I was” when she was placed on special leave by NHS Fife. She told the tribunal in Dundee that she felt the representative believed she was being disciplined for wrongdoing.

Previous Tribunal Outcome

This is Ms Peggie’s second employment tribunal. Her previous case was against NHS Fife, following an incident in December 2023 where she objected to sharing a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. In December last year, the tribunal awarded Ms Peggie a partial victory, upholding claims of harassment against NHS Fife but dismissing allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination, and victimisation.

The high-profile case attracted support from gender-critical groups and author JK Rowling. Ms Peggie claims the RCN failed to adequately support her during her dispute with the health board.

Allegations Against the RCN

Ms Peggie told the tribunal that she came to understand the term “gender critical” after speaking with Sex Matters executive director Maya Forstater around August 2024. She stated that her belief that a man should not use women’s changing facilities was fundamental to this understanding.

She accepted telling Dr Upton that her presence in female changing facilities was “the same when they put a male in a female prison”. This comment referenced trans rapist Isla Bryson, who was initially housed in a women’s prison. Mr Fraser’s notes from their conversation indicated the comment “could be seen as discriminatory”.

Ms Peggie claimed the RCN failed to advise her in January 2024 about a potential legal claim against her employer after her suspension. She also alleges the union refused her request for legal support in January 2025 during NHS Fife’s disciplinary investigation into her conduct. Furthermore, Ms Peggie claims the RCN did not adequately advocate for her when she sought assurances from NHS Fife regarding single-sex changing facilities.

She is seeking a finding that the RCN discriminated against her due to her gender critical and sex realist beliefs. The Royal College of Nursing denies all claims.

Next Steps

The tribunal, presided over by employment judge Melanie Sangster, is ongoing.