NHS diversity officer: I don't know my own sex
The equalities and human rights lead at NHS Fife, Isla Bumba told the tribunal that while she was able to 'hazard a guess I would be female', she insisted 'no one knows' their chromosomes or hormonal composition unless they had undergone medical testing. Er, right. Bumba went on to say that she had given 'generalised' advice in 2023 that led to Dr Beth Upton, a transwoman, being allowed to access female changing facilities at the Kirkcaldy hospital where Peggie worked. The long-time nurse confronted Dr Upton the third time she came across the medic in the changing room, on Christmas Eve in 2023 – before being suspended after Upton reported Peggie for a 'hate incident'. Bumba added that while the health board did not have a formal policy on trans changing rooms, it had informally used national guidelines – prompting claims the Scottish health service had commenced a 'secret' trans policy.
NHS Fife has come under increasing scrutiny throughout this case, with Scotland's information commissioner ruling that the health board had failed to comply with Freedom of Information requests regarding the cost of the case. It has since been revealed that NHS Fife has spent a whopping £220,000 defending itself thus far. First Minister John Swinney has said he has confidence in the health board – but since nurse Peggie was acquitted in the internal disciplinary process, health service bosses have come under pressure to concede the case. Will they now bow out? Watch this space…
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STV News
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The Herald Scotland
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