Nurse Sandie Peggie Sues Royal College of Nursing for Discrimination

Nurse Sandie Peggie has initiated an employment tribunal in Dundee against the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), alleging direct discrimination based on her gender-critical and sex realist beliefs. The case centers on claims that the union failed to provide adequate legal advice and support following her January 2024 suspension and a subsequent disciplinary investigation in January 2025.

The dispute stems from a December 2023 incident at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, where Peggie objected to sharing a changing room with transgender physician Dr. Beth Upton. In a previous legal battle against her employer, NHS Fife, a December 2025 tribunal upheld harassment claims against the health board but dismissed other allegations of discrimination.

During testimony on September 23, Peggie claimed that RCN representative Stuart Fraser did not take her concerns seriously and failed to advocate for single-sex facilities. The RCN denies all allegations of discrimination, presenting evidence that senior officer Gillian Tate pressured NHS Fife to provide clarity on the use of single-sex facilities. The hearing is presided over by Employment Judge Melanie Sangster and is scheduled to continue through October 1.