Christian nurse Jennifer Melle is claiming victory after a London hospital settled her discrimination claim at the eleventh hour.
It followed a 10-month-long nightmare for the nurse which included being suspended by the hospital for accidentally misgendering a patient from a male prison who identified as a woman — and viciously racially abused her and physically threatened her with violence.
When checking medical records, Ms. Melle saw that the patient was recorded as male — not female or transgender.
The patient overheard her referring to “Mr. X” and launched into a tirade of abuse against the Ugandan-born nurse, calling her a vile racist slur.
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust then labelled the senior nurse with an unblemished 12-year professional record — a “potential risk to the public” — for declining to use the prisoner’s preferred pronouns.
It suspended her on full pay while two investigations took place.
TWO INVESTIGATIONS CLEAR NURSE OF ANY WRONGDOING
The first investigation concerned Jennifer Melle’s refusal to use a patient’s preferred female pronouns.
The second was triggered by her decision to speak publicly about her treatment.
The NHS Trust eventually cleared her of an accusation of improperly publicising the patient’s identity.
A disciplinary panel made no finding of misconduct and reinstated her to her job in February.
The Trust has since confirmed that it has issued a written warning to the patient that threatening and racially offensive language will not be tolerated and he may be banned from the Trust’s premises.
SETTLEMENT CAME JUST BEFORE DISCRIMINATION HEARING BEGAN
The confidential settlement came just days before this week’s scheduled commencement of the trial over Jennifer Melle’s claim against the NHS Trust in the Croydon Employment Tribunal.
The Daily Express claims it involves a five figure payment which could be anywhere from £10,000 (A$19,000) to £99,000 (A$188,000).
She was pursuing claims for harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and breaches of her freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
It’s unclear whether the settlement included an apology for the distress and professional harm Jennifer endured.
BRIEF STATEMENT FROM NHS TRUST
A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust gave an apology of sorts, saying: “We are sorry that Ms. Melle had this experience and we issued a written warning to this patient, but we expect all staff to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.”
“Racial abuse of our staff is never acceptable, nor is discussing a patient’s private medical information publicly.”
Despite the insinuation, the NHS Trust cleared the nurse of breaching patient confidentiality.
NURSE SAYS SHE WAS ABANDONED BY HER UNION’S RESPONSE TO THE SETTLEMENT
Responding to the outcome, the single mum said she was “glad” the Trust “has finally decided to extend an olive branch to me”.
She said she was grateful to the Lord Jesus and the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) for standing by her during “the darkest days of my life.”
That’s unlike the nurses’ union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which she accused of abandoning her.
Ms. Melle reported that the RCN advised her to “reflect on her actions” and indicated her case had no merit.
“I LOOK FORWARD TO FOCUSING ON THE JOB I LOVE”
“My ordeal matters not only for me, but for every nurse who should be able to practise according to conscience, biological reality, and basic safeguarding principles without fear.”
“I look forward to being able to focus on the job I love, instead of defending myself against various bizarre accusations,” she reflected.
“It should never have come to this.”
“No nurse or other medical professionals should ever have to face what I have faced, simply for telling the truth, doing their job, and reporting racist abuse and physical threats from a patient.”
HER ORDEAL IS STILL NOT OVER
Jennifer Melle is still the subject of two investigations by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
They could take years to conclude with the Council having the power to restrict or even end her professional career.
One is for the misgendering incident, the other for speaking publicly about her unfair and appalling treatment by her employers.
She said the fact that she is still being investigated “should alarm everyone who cares about fairness, safeguarding, and free speech in our NHS.”
“JENNIFER’S CASE IS ONE OF THE MOST CONCERNING WE’VE SEEN”
CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said: “Jennifer’s case has been one of the most concerning we have ever seen.”
“A dedicated Christian nurse with a spotless 12‑year record was treated as the offender while the man, who racially abused and physically threatened her, was treated as the victim.”
“Jennifer has shown remarkable courage. We will stand with her until these remaining injustices are fully resolved.”
“THE NHS NEEDS TO CURE ITSELF OF THIS GENDER MADNESS”
Director of Campaigns Fiona McAnena at the charity Sex Matters said: “A year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that women are female, men are male, and those are biological facts that can’t be changed.”
“But NHS staff are still expected to indulge the fantasy of a man who says he is a woman.”
“The behaviour of the NHS Trust, was shameful.”
“Jennifer endured the misery of being disciplined and suspended.”
“We are all sick of this charade. The NHS needs to cure itself of this gender madness before more people are harmed.”
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