EXCLUSIVE: Nurse Jennifer Melle has been hauled before a disciplinary hearing for speaking publicly about the torrent of racial abuse she suffered for misgendering a paedophile patient.
The NHS will erupt into all-out war if a trans row nurse is sacked, the Express has been told. Jennifer Melle has been hauled before a disciplinary hearing for speaking publicly about the torrent of racial abuse she suffered for misgendering a paedophile patient under her care.
She was suspended by St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust on April 2 after speaking about the sanction handed to her for indirectly referring to a male transgender paedophile as “Mr.”
Committed Christian Ms Melle, 40, has been told evidence gathered by the Trust supports claims she potentially breached the privacy of the 6ft bearded sex offender who arrived at the hospital shackled by two guards from a men’s prison for treatment for a urinary infection, even though his identity remains unknown.
She will discover her fate on Tuesday.
In documents seen by the Express Miriam Phillip, Head of Quality at South West London Integrated Care Board, who carried out the internal investigation, said: “Although there is no evidence that Patient X was identified because of the disclosure, Jennifer Melle’s actions breached the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct, undermined Trust policies, and carried significant risks to confidentiality, patient trust, and professional standards.”
A source close to the proceedings told the Express: “There is a possibility Jennifer could be fired and, if so, it will be total war.”
Ms Melle faces the sack for misgendering a paedophile patient under her care. (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
The Tories are incensed the NHS nurse faces the sack saying it ‘beggars belief’ (Image: File)
The Ugandan-born band 5 outpatient nurse, who has an unblemished 12-year record, said: “I was racially abused in my workplace, and instead of protecting me, the Trust punished me. My Christian faith teaches me that sex is immutable. I should not be forced to deny that truth to keep my job.
“Nurses like me are left vulnerable while ideology trumps reality. This is not inclusion; it is discrimination.”
In a letter ahead of the showdown, the Trust told her: “I must advise that following the conclusion of the hearing, a decision will be made as to what, if any, disciplinary action may be taken against you, up to and including dismissal.”
Claire Coutinho, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “Jennifer had an unblemished reputation until this incident.
“Even when faced with horrific racial abuse at work from a convicted paedophile, she acted with courtesy and professionalism.
“The treatment she has suffered because of radical trans ideology beggars belief. Common sense must prevail, and this dedicated nurse must be allowed to return to work as soon as possible.”
The watershed hearing comes as the NHS and wider public sector continue to be mired in confusion despite the Supreme Court ruling on April 16 that a woman was defined by biological sex under equality law.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – regulator of the Equality Act – passed a revised code of practice to Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, on September 4. No decision has been made on whether the Government will accept it, and if it does, there’s no indication of when it could come before Parliament.
The legal limbo means individual NHS trusts are free to decide which staff can use changing rooms, sparking confusion and fear, despite Health Secretary Wes Streeting promising to ensure “single-sex spaces are protected”.
The Darlington Nursing Union – set up by seven NHS nurses in a separate fight against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for allowing a biological male identifying as a woman to use female-only staff changing rooms – has become a leading voice in the fight for women’s rights.
Union President Bethany Hutchison, 36, wrote to Mr Streeting asking him to urgently intervene in the chaos engulfing the NHS.
In his reply, seen exclusively by the Express, he said: “I want to reassure you… We are committed to ensuring single-sex spaces are protected and that we find a way forward that respects women’s safe spaces while also respecting the needs of trans people.
“The Government is now carefully considering the draft updated (EHRC) code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Minister for Women and Equalities will lay it before Parliament.
“Parliament will then have 40 sitting days to consider the code. It is critical that we get this right and that we find a way forward that stands the test of time.”
Regardless of the outcome of Ms Melle’s hearing, which will be chaired by Rachel Addy, Associate Director of Nursing, Ms Melle is now is taking legal action on the grounds of harassment, discrimination, victimisation under the Equality Act, and breaches of her rights under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting her, said: “Jennifer’s case is not just about one nurse, it’s about truth. It’s about common sense. It’s about the freedom to express truth in the workplace.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that biological sex is legally recognised, yet institutions are ignoring binding law while clinging to ideological policies.
“Failure to stand with Jennifer sets a dangerous precedent: if professional bodies can disregard Supreme Court rulings and fail to protect the very people they were set up to look afte,r then the rule of law itself is at risk.
“Jennifer’s fight will determine whether legal rights mean anything in practice.”
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Racial abuse of our staff is never acceptable and we are very sorry that Jennifer Melle had this experience and have written to this patient to warn them.
“However, every patient is entitled to confidential treatment and it is never acceptable to reveal their private medical information.”
