logo
JK Rowling slams ‘hapless' NHS bosses who suspended nurse for complaining about trans doc using female changing rooms

JK Rowling slams ‘hapless' NHS bosses who suspended nurse for complaining about trans doc using female changing rooms

The Irish Sun21-07-2025
AUTHOR JK Rowling has slammed "hapless" NHS bosses for suspending a nurse who challenged a trans doctor in the female changing rooms.
was
Advertisement
4
JK Rowling has slammed NHS bosses for their 'hapless and unprofessional' behaviour
Credit: twitter/jkrowling
4
Sandie was suspended from work in January 2024
Credit: Iain Masterton
4
Dr Upton - a biological male - made an allegation of bullying and harassment
Credit: Alamy
Sandie was suspended from work at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in January last year after
made an allegation of bullying and harassment.
But she was
The
Writing on social media, Rowling fumed: "This is Nicola Sturgeon's legacy.
Advertisement
Read more News
"... a government that publicly backs the hapless, unprofessional, ideologically captured health board that's persecuting a nurse for asserting her legal right to a single-sex changing room."
Ms Peggie's solicitor Margaret Gribbon said that the nurse
- who has worked at the health board for 30 years -
was "relieved and delighted" after being cleared of the allegations.
In a statement, Ms Gribbon said: "On Tuesday 14 July, the evening before the resuming of her tribunal, Sandie Peggie received confirmation from Fife Health Board that following a disciplinary hearing, none of the gross misconduct allegations against her were upheld.
"This follows a disciplinary hearing on 25 June, which considered four gross misconduct allegations: two relating to patient care failures, one of 'misgendering' Dr Upton, and one relating to her encounter with Dr Upton in the workplace female-only changing room on Christmas Eve 2023.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
"Sandie is relieved and delighted that this 18-month-long internal process has concluded and cleared her of all allegations."
It comes as an employment tribunal brought by Ms Peggie against the health board is set to resume this week.
has been a prominent women's rights campaigner and has often been vocal on what she calls "sex-based rights" for several years.
The
Advertisement
Gender row nurse cleared of gross misconduct
She joked she had a "new favourite
BBC
presenter" after Martine overruled her autocue which referred to "pregnant people" being at risk during the recent hot
weather
.
Rowling has come under fire for comments made in the past towards trans people.
In 2020, the esteemed author slammed the growing trend of replacing "biological sex" with "gender identity".
Her stance, that declared "sex is real", led to death threats, but also moulded her into a figurehead for the "gender-critical" movement.
Advertisement
Activists accused her of transphobia in 2020 when replying to an article with the headline: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post Covid-19 world for people who menstruate."
She tweeted: "'People who menstruate'. I'm sure there used to be a word for those people.
"Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"
Her remarks led to criticism from Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, who ignored the fact her books had made them famous to launch a string of attacks.
Advertisement
It was Rowling's beloved group For Women Scotland which also launched a long-running legal battle with the Scottish government over how a "woman" was defined in Scottish law.
The Scottish government had argued people with gender recognition certificates (GRCs) should be protected from sex-based discrimination, meaning a transwoman would be considered a woman.
However, campaign group For Women Scotland claimed this only applied to people born as a female.
In April, the Supreme Court's landmark judgement ruled that it was unanimously determined "sex is binary" and that female-only spaces must be protected on the basis of biology.
Advertisement
4
Rowling has come under fire for comments made in the past towards trans people
Credit: Getty
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I thought my snoring was caused by a blocked nose – it was actually a sign of a skull-eroding disease
I thought my snoring was caused by a blocked nose – it was actually a sign of a skull-eroding disease

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

I thought my snoring was caused by a blocked nose – it was actually a sign of a skull-eroding disease

WHEN Claire Barbery first started snoring, she didn't think much of i t. But the constant 4 Claire Barbery with her husband Gary Credit: SWNS 4 The mum was diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma - a rare cancer in the upper part of the nasal cavity Credit: SWNS The mum-of-two nearly cancelled the hospital appointment that led to her diagnosis because she didn't want to 'waste the time' of the NHS. 'There's nothing wrong, I thought. But looking back, that decision could have cost me my life," she added. 'I started snoring, which I'd never done before. I was waking myself up, breathing through my mouth rather than my nose. 'Even then, I nearly cancelled my hospital appointment. I didn't want to waste anyone's time. I just left it and thought it was something to do with having had Covid the month before.' Read more on cancer Claire had been experiencing a continuous blockage in one side of her nose and initially put it down to the effects of regular Covid testing while working in a After a steroid spray failed to help, she sought medical advice in January 2023. Following scans and a biopsy, doctors delivered the news she had olfactory neuroblastoma - a rare cancer developing in the upper part of the nasal cavity. The 5cm tumour had already begun eroding bone at the base of her skull. Most read in Health She underwent complex surgery at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital to have it removed. Claire has now partnered with UK charity - the Get A-Head Charitable Trust to raise awareness of World Head and Neck Cancer Day today, which was yesterday (27 July). The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer - as patients share their stories She added: 'If you know your body, then you've got to push. 'If there's something wrong, don't ignore it.' The procedure in January last year was performed by consultant surgeon Shahz Ahmed, who specialises in skull base procedures. It was filmed as part of the Channel 5 documentary 'Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death'. Mr Ahmed said: 'Claire had a very rare form of cancer that needed to be removed. 'Untreated, it could have metastasized and spread into the neck and the rest of the body. 4 Claire and Gary with nd daughters Lowenna, 27, and Keizha, 25 Credit: SWNS 4 If you think something is wrong don't ignore it, Claire warns Credit: SWNS 'It had already gone through the skull base into the base of the brain and if left, it would have become harder and harder to treat.' The delicate operation involved removing the tumour, along with Claire's olfactory bulbs - meaning she has permanently lost her sense of smell - and reconstructing the area between her nose and brain. Mr Ahmed added: 'The key worries were operating between the left and the right eye. 'The main blood supply to the brain is in very close proximity so the risk of seizures, stroke, injury to the brain and loss of life, were all very real. 'Thankfully, the surgery was a huge success and Claire suffered no complications.' Following surgery, Claire underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is now under regular review with her medical team. She is gradually returning to work and since treatment finished has been enjoying holidays with her husband Gary as well as spending more time with daughters Lowenna, 27, and Keizha, 25. Check your risk of head and neck cancer with a simple 60-second mirror test THERE are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop - from the mouth and lips to the voice box and throat. But collectively, There are around 13,000 new cases every year - or 35 every day - and numbers are increasing 30 per cent each decade, experts warn. It kills more than 4,000 annually. Symptoms of head and neck cancer can be subtle, meaning it is often diagnosed at a late stage. But the earlier it's caught, the better chance of successful treatment and ultimately, survival. (OHNCUK) has an easy 60-second self-check you can do to assess your risk at home. THE AT-HOME MIRROR TEST Find a large mirror with good lighting, then get as close as you can to it. "The early signs of head and neck cancer can be felt in and around the neck, throat and jaw," the charity said. "Check along the insides of your lips and look at your gums. Are there any lumps, bumps or red or white patches? "Look at the back of your mouth. Stick out your tongue and move it from side to side. "Don't forget to look underneath your tongue too." Next, it's time to assess the health of your neck by feeling under and around your jaw. "This area can sometimes be a bit lumpy, especially if you've had a cold or other illness recently, so learn what's normal for you," OHNCUK said. If you notice any of the following newly-developed symptoms, and you've had them for over three weeks, speak to your GP: Persistent Persistent Difficulty swallowing or Hoarseness or a Persistent cough Lump or swelling in the neck, jaw area, nose or throat (with or without pain) Earache or ear pain "A mouth check every month can really make a difference," Michelle said. "If you have any concerns or notice anything that doesn't go away for three weeks, it is important to speak with a doctor or dentist to get checked out. "The earlier you can catch cancer, the better your chances of successful treatment and recovery. "If you look at other cancers as a comparison point, early detection rates for head and neck cancers are considerably lower than other cancers. "Early-stage diagnosis for combined head and neck cancers is around 13 per cent and we want this to be at 75 per cent. "Let's work together to raise awareness of how to prevent these cancers and improve earlier diagnosis of disease."

Intense grief after the loss of a loved one doubles the risk of dying within 10 years, warn experts
Intense grief after the loss of a loved one doubles the risk of dying within 10 years, warn experts

The Irish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Intense grief after the loss of a loved one doubles the risk of dying within 10 years, warn experts

PEOPLE intensely grieving a loved one are nearly twice as likely to die within a decade of their loss, say scientists. While grief for the loss of a relative is a natural response, in a minority of the bereaved, grief is so overwhelming it can lead to physical and mental illness - even if it doesn't qualify for a diagnosis. Advertisement 1 Bereaved people with persistent high levels of intense grief showed to use more healthcare services in the study Credit: Getty Previous studies have shown people who recently lost a loved one use healthcare services more often and have an increased mortality rate, over the short term. But now, researchers in Study corresponding author Dr Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen, a postdoctoral researcher at the Research Unit for General Practice in Aarhus, said: "This is the first study to investigate the long-term use of healthcare and patterns of mortality over a decade after bereavement in a large-scale cohort." Starting in 2012, Dr Nielsen and her colleagues followed a group of 1,735 bereaved women and men living in Denmark with an average age of 62 on enrolment. Advertisement Read more on mental health Of the participants, 66 per cent had recently lost their partner, 27 per cent a parent, and 7 per cent another kind of loved relation. Through the national register of drug prescriptions, the researchers knew which patients had recently been prescribed treatment for a terminal condition. They were able to contact those dying patients to invite them and their loved ones to participate in the study. Previously, Dr Nielsen and her colleagues. had identified five common "trajectories" among the group, based on changes in the intensity of grief symptoms over the first three years after losing a loved one. Advertisement Most read in Health Those on the "low" trajectory (38 per cent) displayed persistently low levels of grief symptoms, while 6 per cent followed a "high" trajectory with persistently elevated levels. Three other categories lay between those extremes: 18 per cent and 29 percent followed a "high but decreasing" and a "moderate but decreasing" trajectory, respectively, with 9 per cent on a "late onset" trajectory with a peak of symptoms around six month after bereavement. There are many treatments available on the NHS to help with low mood and depression The research team extended their follow-up of the participants for a total of 10 years until 2022, except for those who died or emigrated earlier. They used data from the Danish National Health Service Register to assess how often each participant received " Advertisement The results revealed for participants on the "high" trajectory, the hazard rate of dying within 10 years was 88 per cent higher than for participants on a "low" trajectory. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health , also showed participants on the "high" trajectory were most likely to receive additional health care services beyond three years after bereavement. For example, they had 186 per cent higher odds of receiving talk therapy or other mental health services, 463 per cent higher odds of being prescribed antidepressants, and 160 per cent higher odds of being prescribed sedatives or Differences in the frequency of use of healthcare services between the five trajectories were no longer significant after the first eight years, but the excess mortality of participants on the "high" trajectory remained pronounced over the full 10 years of follow-up. Advertisement Dr Nielsen said: "We have previously found a connection between high grief symptom levels and higher rates of cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, and even suicide. "But the association with mortality should be further investigated." She says people at risk for a "high" grief trajectory may be recognisable for intervention early, since the data showed that those patients were prescribed psychotropic medication more often even before their loss. Dr Nielsen added: "The 'high grief' group had lower education on average, and their more frequent use of medication before bereavement suggested that they had signs of mental vulnerability, which may cause greater distress on bereavement. Advertisement "A GP could look for previous signs of depression and other severe mental health conditions. "They can then offer these patients tailored follow-up in general practice, or refer them to a private-practice psychologist or secondary care. "The GP may also suggest a bereavement follow-up appointment focusing on mental health." Where to seek grief support Need professional help with grief? Child Bereavement UK Cruse Bereavement Relate The Good Grief Trust You can also always speak to your GP if you're struggling. You're Not Alone Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief… Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast. The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism. Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they're really feeling. Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who've suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums. Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips. How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death.

I'm on Mounjaro & here's what happens after drinking on fat jabs – the hangxiety & acid reflux is the worst for starters
I'm on Mounjaro & here's what happens after drinking on fat jabs – the hangxiety & acid reflux is the worst for starters

The Irish Sun

time7 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

I'm on Mounjaro & here's what happens after drinking on fat jabs – the hangxiety & acid reflux is the worst for starters

A WOMAN has revealed the awful side effects she has experienced when drinking on Mounjaro. Since becoming available on the NHS earlier this year, weight loss jab Mounjaro has helped thousands of Brits shed unwanted weight. 2 Jade has been on Mounjaro since February Credit: @ / TikTok 2 She said she feels "awful" after drinking alcohol Credit: @ / TikTok And whilst many are overjoyed with the results, some have reported major side effects, including and . Jade, has been on Mounjaro since February, and has been documenting her journey on her TikTok account The busy mum has described the jabs as being "amazing"; however, she added that she has some nasty side effects when she drinks. "This is the reality of drinking on Mounjaro, she told her 12,000 TikTok followers. Read more Mounjaro stories "I feel awful, emotionally, physically, in every way." Jade revealed that whilst she had actually been drinking she felt fine, however, the next day, she had the hangover from hell. Normally, when Jade drinks, she's either sick before she goes to bed, eats food, or drinks lots of water. Since she didn't do any of this on the night she was drinking, she is unsure whether this could have contributed to her awful hangover. Most read in Fabulous Jade revealed that she was "out of the game" the day after she went out drinking, and still felt "emotionally unstable" two days after. She added that she hadn't even drunk loads, and hadn't felt this way for a long long time. I've lost nearly 6 stone in 9 months on fat jabs - trolls call me 'lazy' & say it's the 'easy way out' but I don't care "Honestly, just wanted to cry constantly for two days", she said. After doing some research, Jade discovered that when using Mounjaro, alchohol stays in your system longer, and your blood sugars are "all over the place." She added that she now gets awful acid reflux and "bad heartburn" for days after she drinks. Jade added that she experienced the "worst" hangxiety, and only felt "human" again four days after drinking. What to do if you lose too much weight too quickly whilst on Mounjaro IF you're losing too much weight too quickly while on Mounjaro, it's important to take action to avoid potential health risks like muscle loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and fatigue. Here's what you can do: Evaluate Your Caloric Intake Mounjaro reduces appetite, which can make it easy to eat too little. If you're losing weight too fast (more than two to three lbs per week after the initial adjustment period), try: Tracking your food intake to ensure you're eating enough calories (apps like MyFitnessPal can help). Increasing protein intake to preserve muscle mass (aim for 0.6–1g per pound of body weight). Adding healthy fats and complex carbs (e.g., avocados, nuts, whole grains) for balanced energy. Adjust Your Dosage (With Doctor's Approval) If your weight loss is too rapid or causing side effects, your doctor may: Pause dose increases or lower your dosage. Adjust your treatment plan to stabilise your weight loss. Strength Training & Exercise To prevent muscle loss: Incorporate resistance training at least two to three times per week. Stay active with low-impact exercises like walking or yoga. Hydrate & Manage Electrolytes Drink enough water (Mounjaro can reduce thirst). Electrolytes matter - Consider adding magnesium, sodium, and potassium if you feel weak or fatigued. Monitor for Malnutrition & Deficiencies Rapid weight loss can cause vitamin/mineral deficiencies (especially B12, iron, and electrolytes). If you experience: Fatigue, hair loss, or dizziness, ask your doctor about supplements. Consider Further Medical Guidance If your weight loss is excessive or causing health concerns, speak with your healthcare provider. They might adjust your dosage, diet, or exercise plan to help stabilise your weight loss. Addressing her followers, Jade asked if others had experienced the same thing, and whether she should give up drinking. Her video racked up over 224,000 views and was flooded with comments from people, many of whom had experienced the same thing. One person said: "I'm a good drinker but I had a glass and it knocked me for two days." A second person said: "I can't drink on it it makes me feel so sick." However, others reported that they felt fine after drinking, such as one person who said: "I can drink as normal." Another person said: "I feel fine the next day."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store