NHS Fife is confronting a new wave of legal action from a nurse who holds gender critical views, marking an escalation in a long-running employment dispute. Sandie Peggie, a nurse based at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, has initiated fresh proceedings against the health board, alleging direct discrimination and victimisation.
Chronology of a Complex Tribunal Case
The origins of the case date back to December 24, 2023, when a dispute arose over the use of a female changing room. Following this, a transgender colleague, Dr Beth Upton, made allegations of bullying and harassment against Ms Peggie and raised concerns about patient care. This led to Ms Peggie being placed on special leave.
She subsequently lodged an employment tribunal claim in February against both NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010. The tribunal was heard in Dundee. The legal net widened in August when proceedings were raised against three senior managers who had been witnesses. Then, in November, additional claims were filed against NHS Fife's chief executive, Carol Potter, and its director of people and culture, David Miller.
Details of the Latest Allegations
On Monday 1 December 2025, Ms Peggie's solicitor, Margaret Gribbon, announced a new claim. This centres on the health board's handling of an internal disciplinary process which concluded there was "insufficient" and "no conclusive" evidence to support all allegations against the nurse.
This is alleged to constitute direct discrimination because of Ms Peggie's "sex realist beliefs". Separate claims of victimisation have been raised against NHS Fife and Carol Potter, linked to a media statement issued by the board on July 18, which was confirmed to have been signed off by Ms Potter.
Furthermore, an additional claim of harassment has been made against NHS Fife and David Miller. This arises from his "failure since June 2025 to provide Sandie Peggie with assurances that NHS Fife would not permit men, irrespective of their gender identity, access to female single sex workplace changing rooms".
Next Steps and Wider Implications
According to the campaign group Sex Matters, which is representing Ms Peggie, these new claims are expected to be conjoined with the existing claim lodged on August 6. The case continues to highlight tensions within public sector workplaces around gender identity policies and the legal protections for gender critical beliefs.
NHS Fife has been contacted for comment regarding the latest developments. The ongoing tribunal represents a significant and closely watched legal test for the NHS and other employers navigating these complex issues.
