Christian nurse suspended by NHS for misgendering trans prisoner demands answers from Labour over delay to single-sex spaces rules

Ms Melle, from Croydon, south London, was given a nine-month suspension from her role in the NHS after misgendering a convicted paedophile - who was born a male - as "Mr" and "he" while discussing the use of a catheter.

Following a petition by the Conservatives that garnered over 60,000 signatures, the Trust dropped the disciplinary case against Ms Melle and reinstated her.

In Parliament, the nurse asked Ms Phillipson about the ongoing delay in publishing the EHRC guidance on single‑sex spaces and was informed that a policy developed by the Darlington Nursing Union and the Christian Legal Centre had been submitted to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, in November 2024.

The policy sets out a lawful framework for addressing the provision of single‑sex spaces in the workplace.

In response, however, Ms Phillipson said: "There's no delay, it's just the process that we are following. I do want to get that good practice out there into the world.

"What I would say, however, is the Code of Practice, applies to services and associations. It doesn't apply to the workplace regulations. So that really is a matter for the NHS...and how they intend to uphold their responsibilities as an employer."

Ms Melle received a written warning after misgendering the patient, saying it was "against my faith and Christian values".

In response to the incident, the patient is alleged to have racially abused the nurse, lunging towards her and calling her a "n*****" three times.

While the Trust separately warned the patient that racist and threatening behaviour would not be tolerated, her case escalated when she was accused of a data breach.

Epsom and St Helier Hospitals believed Ms Melle, who boasted an unblemished 12-year record at the NHS, was in breach of the code despite not naming the transgender patient or providing other identifying information, such as their age. She was handed a nine-month suspension.

Speaking outside Parliament on Wednesday, Ms Melle told GB News: "I was in shock for the reasons why I was suspended. I was shaken and traumatised. My union deserted me, and the Trust harassed me and walked me out of the hospital.

She added: "It really hurt me a lot. I was in tears. I couldn't believe the appalling abuse and treatment I had to endure for misgendering a patient. This is a man at a male prison who is coming for treatment in urology."

The nurse was investigated, suspended, and reported as a "risk" to the public and to the reputation of the NHS for declining to use the paedophile patient’s preferred pronouns.

Led by Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho, the Conservatives began a petition to "save" Ms Melle. Following the petition, on January 20, the Trust dropped the disciplinary case against Jennifer Melle and reinstated her.

On Wednesday, Ms Coutinho and Ms Melle were joined by Sandie Peggie and Darlington nurses Karen and Annice as they presented that petition to the Department for Health and Ms Phillipson.

"I'm so proud of Jennifer and all the nurses who have fought their cause," Ms Coutinho told the People's Channel. "I cannot tell you what they've been up against.

"All the people that were meant to protect them, turned their backs on them. They've had to pursue people through the courts to fight for justice.

"These are hard-working, dedicated nurses who are doing the best for their patients, and yet they've been completely let down by the system."

Ms Melle, who said the meeting was a moment of "history", still faces two outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Council fitness-to-practise investigations over misgendering the paedophile and whistleblowing to the media.