UK Nurses Sue NHS Hospital Trust Over Transgender Policy, Demand for Protection of Biological Female Staff

A group of nurses in the United Kingdom has gone public with their lawsuit against the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, demanding better protection for female staff in light of its transgender employee policy.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Darlington Memorial nurse Lisa Lockey expressed frustration over the lack of protections, saying, “There’s nothing in place at the minute to protect women.”

Lisa Lockey (far left) and Bethany Hutchison (far right) are two nurses who recently put a face to their lawsuit against the NHS trust and spoke with Fox News Digital. (Christian Legal Centre)

The nurses, who initially shared their story anonymously in May, filed a lawsuit against the Trust, alleging harassment by a transgender colleague.

According to the suit, the biological male colleague often enters the female changing room undressed, making female staff uncomfortable. One nurse recounted being approached by a colleague while he wore only boxer shorts, with his genitalia visible.

A group of nurses in the UK are suing an NHS Trust after they say the hospital has ignored their concerns about a biological male harassing female employees in a changing room. (iStock/Getty)

Lockey highlighted the plight of a Muslim colleague who was terrified to encounter the transgender colleague while half-dressed. “She was just frozen in panic, holding her hands across her chest and didn’t know what to do,” Lockey said, describing the incident as “really, really wrong.”

The suit claims that the transgender employee, who wears men’s clothes and has facial hair, has made female staff uneasy. In April, over two dozen female nurses signed a letter to hospital management expressing their discomfort.

However, the head of HR allegedly responded by lecturing the staff on the need for inclusivity and education.

“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling was one high-profile figure who shared the nurses’ story on her social media account. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Darlington Memorial nurse Bethany Hutchison criticized HR’s response, calling it “absolutely insulting.” She noted that female colleagues are now fearful and often seek alternative places to change their clothes. Hutchison mentioned that Muslim colleagues working in operating rooms feel particularly silenced and threatened with disciplinary action if they speak out.

The nurses are suing the NHS Trust for sexual harassment and sex discrimination, accusing it of prioritizing the rights of the single transgender employee over the safety and comfort of female staff. Since going public, Lockey and Hutchison have received overwhelming support, including a mention from “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling.

NHS nurses sue over transgender policy that ‘puts them at risk’: r/unitedkingdom

Lockey emphasized their goal is not to attack transgender individuals but to defend their right to female-only spaces. “We want the policy changed. It’s about policy change and safety,” Hutchison added.

In response, the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to an inclusive work environment and promising a thorough investigation. “We need to adhere to legal requirements and best practices… to find a constructive solution that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals,” the statement read.

The Trust emphasized that as the case is now active, it is inappropriate to share further details.