Nurse Wins Settlement After Pronoun Dispute

Jennifer Melle, a nurse from South London, has reached a settlement with Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust. Melle was suspended with full pay after speaking to the media about a warning she received for using incorrect pronouns for a transgender patient. The trust cited concerns that press reports might have identified the patient, potentially breaching confidentiality.

This settlement was agreed upon ahead of a tribunal. Melle had previously received a written warning in May 2024 after being racially abused by a transgender woman for addressing them as 'Mr.' The trust also warned the patient against racist and threatening language.

Despite being reinstated to clinical duties in January 2026 after a disciplinary meeting found no further action was warranted regarding the confidentiality breach, Melle expressed that the situation should never have occurred. She highlighted the distress faced by medical professionals for reporting abuse and threats, noting her ongoing investigations with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.