A senior nurse with 13 years of experience fears she could lose her career after speaking publicly about a disciplinary warning she received for using a patient's incorrect pronouns.
The Incident and Initial Warning
Jennifer Melle, 40, from Croydon, was working at St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, south London, in May 2024 when the incident occurred. Ms Melle states she was subjected to racial abuse by a transgender patient after she referred to them as "Mr". The Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust issued her with a written warning but allowed her to continue in her role. The trust confirmed it also wrote to the patient to warn them that threatening and racist language is unacceptable.
Suspension and Disciplinary Proceedings
The situation escalated in March of last year when Ms Melle spoke to the media about her experience. The trust subsequently suspended her on full pay, citing concerns that the patient could have been identified from media reports, which would breach patient confidentiality. Ms Melle is now facing a private disciplinary meeting with the trust on Tuesday 20 January 2026. The hearing will determine if there is evidence of misconduct, which could result in her dismissal. It is unclear if a ruling will be made immediately.
Wider Support and Parallel Cases
Speaking outside Parliament on Monday, Ms Melle expressed her distress, stating she feels "let down" and that the process is "really traumatising for nurses". She was supported by fellow nurses Bethany Hutchison and Lisa Lockey from Darlington, and Sandie Peggie from Fife.
Ms Melle is also taking the trust to an employment tribunal in April, claiming harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and breaches of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Her supporters have recent precedent; the Darlington nurses last week won a tribunal ruling that found they suffered harassment over sharing single-sex facilities with a trans colleague.
Shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho is among eight cross-party MPs who have signed an open letter to the trust's chief executive and chairman, urging them not to sack Ms Melle and calling for intervention in the disciplinary process.
A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Racial abuse of our staff is never acceptable, nor is discussing a patient’s private medical information publicly. We are sorry that Miss Melle had this experience... but we expect all staff to maintain patient confidentiality at all times."
