Wes Streeting 'horrified' over Darlington Memorial Hospital trans nurse row

Phoebe Abruzzese
·3-min read
Former shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has backed a group of Darlington nurses. <i>(Image: Christian Concern)</i>
Former shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has backed a group of Darlington nurses. (Image: Christian Concern)

Wes Streeting has said he is ‘horrified’ that a group of nurses in Darlington have been left feeling "threatened and intimidated" after launching a "landmark" employment tribunal case.

Yesterday, a group of five nurses from Darlington Memorial Hospital spoke publicly for the first time following the launch of a legal challenge against health trust chiefs over a trans woman being allowed to use female changing rooms.

Now, the former Shadow Health Secretary has said he is happy to meet the group of women, who are taking legal action against County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT).

Mr Streeting added that the NHS has got to "find a way through through that treats trans people with respect and respects women’s safe spaces.”

Read the full story here. 

A group of nurses from County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) have lodged an employment tribunal case for sexual discrimination and sexual harassment.

Bethany Hutchison, Lisa Lockey, Annice Grundy, Tracey Hooper and Joanne Bradbury, All from the Day Surgery unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital, have decided to speak publicly as they believe the Trust is hoping controversy will "blow over".

A spokesperson for CDDFT has said that "work continues" on their internal investigation into the issue.

The group has put in claims on harassment, indirect discrimination, and breach of nurses' ECHR article eight rights (the right to privacy).

Mr Streeting said: “I support the nurses and I’m horrified that they’ve had to resort to legal action. We’ve got to find a better way through this and I’d be happy to meet them. We’ve got to find a way through that treats trans people with respect and respects women’s safe spaces.”

In response to Mr Streeting, Bethany Hutchison, the spokesperson for the group, said: “We would be happy to meet with Mr Streeting to discuss what has happened to us and continues to happen to us and our colleagues on a daily basis. We also think Keir Starmer should join the conversation so that members of the public are clear on what his position is on this issue.

“Nurses are scared to put their heads above the parapet and speak out. We believe what is happening in Darlington is just the tip of the iceberg, not just in the NHS, but across public services and UK society.

“We are very thankful for and grateful for all the support we have received so far. We encourage women and anyone concerned about this issue to raise their voices now.”

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: "The Trust would like to emphasise that at this stage the claims being made are allegations which need to be fully investigated and reviewed. The Trust has initiated this through its internal processes and this work continues.

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"However, as the allegations are now also subject to active legal action, it would not be appropriate for the Trust to comment further at this stage."

In response to Mr Streeting, Conservative MP, Miriam Cates, said: “We don’t need a ‘better way through’. We just need to uphold the rules and boundaries - based on the realities of biology and human nature - that all societies throughout all history have upheld. Men are not allowed in women’s intimate spaces. That is where it begins and ends.”

J.K Rowling also waded in, reposting the video of the nurses and saying: “The nurses who are suing County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for letting a trans identified man watch them change. The women and girls being robbed of sporting opportunities. It's endless.”

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