Nurse Sandie Peggie suspended over trans changing room row launches fresh legal action against NHS Fife

A nurse who was suspended after complaining about sharing a changing room with a trans doctor has launched fresh legal action against NHS Fife.

Sandie Peggie was suspended by the health board after complaining about having to share the facility with Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy on Christmas Eve 2023.

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.

An employment tribunal is currently hearing closing submissions in Dundee, having previously heard from all its witnesses before it was adjourned at the end of July.

On Wednesday, Ms Peggie’s solicitor Margaret Gribbon confirmed further legal proceedings were lodged at the start of August against NHS Fife and three senior managers at the health board – Dr Kate Searle, Dr Maggie Currer and Esther Davidson.

It is understood that legal defences for all four respondents are expected to be received within the next fortnight.

Ms Gribbon said: “The claim arises from these senior managers’ opposition to the decision by another FHB (Fife Health Board) manager in March 2024 to lift Sandie’s suspension as set out by the evidence of the suspension review manager during the tribunal hearing in July.

“The claim is one of alleged harassment and victimisation under the Equality Act 2010 relating to Sandie’s gender critical beliefs and is a separate legal case from her ongoing claim against FHB and Dr Beth Upton.”

Ms Peggie’s solicitor said further claims of harassment and victimisation will also be lodged on her behalf in the coming months against the health board and other employees, relating to a decision to subject the nurse to a disciplinary hearing process and over an NHS Fife statement issued to the media on July 18, 2025.

Ms Gribbons said the health board has been asked to confirm the names of employees who authorised the statement, so that consideration can be given to raising legal proceedings against them as individuals.

The solicitor claimed that NHS Fife has failed to respond to repeated written requests to disclose the names since mid-July.

A spokesperson for NHS Fife said: “NHS Fife can confirm that a second employment tribunal claim has been raised against the organisation and members of its staff.

“NHS Fife will provide a formal response to this additional claim in due course.”