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Epoch Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Nurse Left ‘Traumatised' After Being Told Trans Colleague Would Be Part of Hysterectomy Team
A nurse involved in a dispute with a transgender-identifying colleague has spoken out about the trauma she experienced after being told the man would be part of the surgical team for her hysterectomy. Karen Danson said she was left 'traumatised' after the behaviour of the transgender colleague, known as Rose Henderson, brought back memories of the childhood sexual abuse she said she suffered at the hands of her father. Danson is one of eight women, known as the 'Darlington nurses,' who are taking legal action against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, after they were forced to share a changing room with the male nurse who said he identifies as a woman, despite outwardly presenting as a man. Speaking through the charity Christian Concern, Danson, 45, said that through 'an unhappy coincidence,' she was due to have a hysterectomy at her workplace, the Darlington Memorial Hospital, last August, just two months after the legal dispute hit the headlines. She discovered that Henderson was scheduled to be involved in her operation as a surgical assistant. Danson said, 'I immediately knew this was ethically wrong and that my condition would be made worse and more painful with the stress it would cause.' Related Stories 2/11/2025 5/5/2025 She approached the theatre manager and explained the situation, the legal case, and how Henderson's involvement would be 'completely inappropriate,' adding that she wanted a woman as the theatre nurse owing to her childhood trauma. Danson said she was told, 'But Rose is a woman,' and was then accused of being prejudiced and told to take Henderson's feelings into consideration. The theatre manager told Danson in writing that her request could not be accommodated 'due to clinical and staffing skill mix issues,' and suggested she should either try to get the operation done elsewhere or accept Henderson's presence. 'I believed this was purely vindictive and demonstrated how low they were prepared to go,' Danson said. 'Gender identity was placed above patient and staff care. They tried to punish me for the legal case I was part of and for opposing gender identity policy within the hospital.' Just days before the operation, Danson went to the Patient Advisory and Liaison Service, which swiftly decided that it would be inappropriate for Henderson to be involved in her surgery. The legal case is still proceeding to tribunal, despite last month's Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman for the purposes of the Equality Act, which means that a trans-identifying biological male does not have the right to access women's changing rooms or toilets. Danson and the other female nurses are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre, which has said the case 'demonstrates how far the NHS has been prepared to go to uphold gender identity ideology and compromise the basic safety and dignity of female staff and patients.' The high-profile legal case began a year ago after the women were told by NHS bosses they were being 'transphobic' by objecting to a male in their changing rooms, and advised to 'broaden their mindset' and 're-educate' themselves. The Darlington nurses photographed outside of Parliament, where they took a petition supporting their right to dignity in the workplace, in an undated file photo. Christian Concern On Sunday, Danson, who has been a nurse for six years, revealed that her discomfort at being forced to change with a man was heightened because of her memory of being abused. In September 2023, she first encountered Henderson in the women's changing rooms. 'I looked up and saw a man. He had holes in his boxer shorts so that you could unavoidably see male genitalia.' She had heard that a trans-identifying man was using the women's changing rooms and that she had seen Henderson before, but because of his masculine appearance, including facial hair, she had no idea that he was the individual concerned. Danson said that Henderson asked her three times, 'Are you not getting changed yet?' and recalled that he had 'a smirk' on his face. She said that the situation and words jolted her back to sexual abuse she experienced as a 6-year-old, when her abuser would ask her if she was 'getting changed' before bedtime. Danson, who has previously been counselled for PTSD, said: 'Rose had the same look on his face as my Dad. I wanted to get out of there, but I couldn't.' The nurse said she has since had nightmares about the incident, in which the face of her father replaced that of Henderson, and resorted to changing in the toilets to avoid further distressing encounters. In March 2024, Danson and 26 other nurses sent letters to the trust outlining their concerns for their privacy, safety, and dignity in the workplace. Health Secretary Wes Streeting leaving Downing Street, London, after a Cabinet meeting on July 9, 2024. Lucy North/PA Wire After five of the nurses went public last July, the trust gave the women access to a converted office to use as a 'temporary' changing room if they felt uncomfortable undressing in front of a man, and a rainbow-coloured sign labelled 'Inclusive Changing Space' was placed on the female changing room door. The nurses took a petition with 48,000 signatures advocating for single-sex spaces to Downing Street and received widespread public support. The NHS policy 'Transitioning in the Workplace' is used widely throughout the organisation and allows men to use women's changing facilities if they say they 'identify' as a woman, regardless of whether they are taking cross-sex hormones or have had feminising surgery. According to the women's accounts, Henderson has said that he has a female partner who he was trying to get pregnant. Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced last week that following the Supreme Court ruling in favour of For Women Scotland, there would be 'new rules' on matters to do with single-sex spaces issued 'within weeks.' Interim guidance was issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on April 25, making clear that single-sex facilities are to be used based on biological sex only, regardless of whether or not a person has obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate. Last October, Danson attended a meeting with Streeting where she said she told him that the changing room encounter had triggered her PTSD. She said that while Streeting was sympathetic, no action has been taken to resolve the women's concerns, and they are still having to use the makeshift locker room, while Henderson continues to use the female changing room. The tribunal is currently scheduled to be heard in October. Judge Stuart Robinson said the hearings will take four weeks, given that around 30 witnesses are expected to give evidence. The nurses have filed the claim on the grounds of sexual harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and breaches of the right to a private life, under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. A similar case is underway in Scotland, brought by nurse Sandie Peggy, who alleges she was intimidated by a trans-identifying male doctor. The Epoch Times contacted County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for comment. The trust told the The trust added: 'We want all our colleagues and patients to feel safe, respected and supported at work and in our care, [and] we are very sorry when this is not the experience. We are committed to providing a safe, compassionate environment for all patients and staff.'
Metro
16-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Dame Esther Rantzen has ‘no idea what's coming' in illness update from daughter
Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter has said her mother has 'no idea what's coming' with her terminal illness. On Friday, MPs are debating the Terminally Ill Adults (end of life) Bill – also know as the Assisted Dying Bill – after 150 changes were made to the legislation following its passing at second reading in November. Dame Esther revealed in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Speaking outside Parliament where campaigners for and against the bill posed with placards, Rebecca Wilcox pleaded her 84-year-old mother's case after the TV star, activist and Childline founder backed the bill. Rebecca told the PA news agency: 'I'm just hoping that the MPs today see common sense that we should have choice at the end of our lives. We should be able to have a pain-free, caring, compassionate death. 'I only wish I could get that from my mother, and I know that the peace of mind that would come with that would be huge, because that's what's missing from her life at the moment, she has no idea what's coming around the corner. 'She has no idea how her body is going to respond to the cancer.' If the legislation remains unchanged, and euthanasia will still illegal in the UK. Rebecca was emotional as she spoke about her mother, briefly pausing as she wiped away tears, while insisting she's worried Dame Esther will have a 'traumatic death' if the bill isn't passed. The Assisted Dying Bill is officially known as the Terminally Ill Adults (end of life) Bill If passed, it would allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to receive medical assistance to die The approval from two doctors and an expert panel would be required The final and decisive votes are expected after another debate on June 13 'I don't want to witness that, she doesn't want us to witness that,' Rebecca said of seeing her mother suffering. 'She's terrified that our memories of her – and they are such good memories – will be destroyed by a bad death, and so she's asking for choice for everybody.' Rebecca said her mother 'believes in compassion and kindness', and 'has campaigned for that in various forms'. She added: 'She's campaigned for that for children, she's campaigned for that for old people – now this campaign is about the end of our lives.' More than 100 campaigners opposing the assisted dying legislation gathered outside Parliament, with demonstrators holding placards bearing the words 'assist us in living not dying' and 'kill the Bill not the ill'. Campaigners also held posters in the shape of tombstones and were addressed by speakers including one from the group Christian Concern. More Trending During the debate this morning, Labour MP Jess Asato criticised Dame Esther for her 'distasteful and disrespectful' comments about those who disagree with the bill. She said: 'Will (Kim Leadbeater) distance herself from the correspondence from Dame Esther Rantzen, who accuses those of us who have concerns about the Bill as having undeclared religious beliefs. Many colleagues found this distasteful and disrespectful.' Kim Leadbeater, who has introduced bill, replied: 'I haven't seen those comments, but it's absolutely right that whatever our views are, whatever our views are on this issue, we must remain respectful.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Widow who helped husband's suicide at Dignitas says she has 'no regrets'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Christian teacher 'sacked after pupil pronouns row'
A Christian teacher allegedly sacked after refusing to use male prounouns for an eight-year-old girl has told an employment tribunal she "could not go against her conscience". The teacher, who cannot be named and is referred to as A, was dismissed for gross misconduct after raising concerns about the safeguarding of the girl who wanted to "socially transition" and use male pronouns. Supported by advocacy group Christian Concern, A is bringing a case against Nottinghamshire County Council, which runs the school, on the grounds of victimisation for whistleblowing, unfair dismissal and discrimination because of her beliefs. The tribunal is expected to last until 14 March. In her witness statement, heard at Nottingham Employment Tribunal Centre, A said she was told by her school in 2021 that a child who had been born female, referred to as Child X, would be joining her class but she should refer to the child with a male name and pronouns at the parent's request, which left her uncomfortable. A said staff were provided with literature largely informed by campaign group Stonewall that was "trans-affirming", biased and "ideologically informed and promoted gender ideology over scientific fact". She said she felt affirming the child would cause "irreversible harm" and that it was "coercive and disrespectful" of the school to force her to use male pronouns for the pupil. After carrying out research over the summer holidays, which included watching YouTube videos of de-transitioners who had regretted their decision, A said she felt she needed to "speak up" about the potential harm the school's approach could cause Child X. She is said to have raised her concerns with the school's head teacher who told her she had no choice but to use Child X's preferred pronouns because it was the parent's request and that she had to "go along with it". After telling the head teacher she did have a choice and could not "in good conscience go along with it", Child X was moved to a different class and A was suspended later that month while a disciplinary investigation was carried out for failing to comply with a "reasonable request". A said she felt the school had ignored her attempts to navigate the situation by using a gender-neutral name for the child and had shown a "draconian" response to her safeguarding concerns. She was reinstated the next month after agreeing she would not breach confidentiality about the child's birth name or gender by telling anyone else about the issue. After returning to school, A's concerns about Child X continued and she lodged a safeguarding letter to the school's governing body but she said her concerns were "ignored at every level". Deciding she could not resolve the issue internally, A said she had "no other option than to consider disclosing information about the child externally" and a report was made to Nottinghamshire County Council, which subsequently concluded it was satisfied the appropriate action had been taken by the school. After involving lawyers and pursuing legal action, A said the school raised concerns that she had broken confidentiality by sharing information with a third party and was suspended, before she was later dismissed and reported to the Teaching Regulation Agency, the Disclosure and Barring Service and the Information Commissioner's Office. A said she felt the school had been "encouraging Child X on a path to self-destruction". She said: "I pursued this course of action because I care enough about children to insist we ask if we are doing harm. A said she felt she was "cut off from her colleagues" following the suspension and had been "treated like a criminal". "I miss the children and it is sad to think that they do not even know why I left. I was treated as if I was a danger to them," she said. The tribunal was told A had accessed information about Child X on CPOMS, an online system used by schools to log and monitor child protection and other pupil welfare issues. Acting on behalf of the county council, barrister Ed Beever said A had "gone behind the back" of the school's designated safeguarding lead in doing so. The tribunal was told A had accessed the system several times to view information about Child X, which she said was "professional curiosity" because she had heard the child's behaviour was poor. "What I found was very sobering, it seemed to line up with what the experts were saying. That I had a point. "I felt the head and the school did not want me to see anything which would demonstrate that the expert reports they dismissed might be accurate and correct." The tribunal continues. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Nottinghamshire County Council HM Courts & Tribunals Service
