Latest news with #DarlingtonNHSFoundationTrust
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.'
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Durham Easter Egg Run sees 'record' 1,200 bikers
A record-breaking number of bikers delivered chocolate eggs to children in hospitals on Easter Sunday, organisers year's Durham Easter Egg Run saw more than 1,200 bikers travel to hospitals in Durham and Darlington, delivering Easter gifts and raising money for of the organisers, Tony Hudspith, 51, from Hartlepool, said it was an "epic spectacle" and participants were "overwhelmed by the size of it".County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDNFT) said it was "incredibly grateful" to every rider who took part and that the donated eggs were now being shared with children in wards, outpatient clinics and staff rooms. The event has been in existence for over a decade and sees bikers deliver eggs to Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North is the first time the annual ride had seen more than 1,000 riders take charity manager Rich Jones said this year's run was "truly moving"."This much-loved Easter Egg Ride tradition reminds us of the power of kindness and the incredible support from our local communities." Some of the bikers rode in fancy dress and hundreds of people lined the route to wave them Hudspith thanked volunteer marshals and Durham Police who "made such a difference" ensuring the event was said he was "still buzzing" and called the spectacle a "wow moment".The riders also raised more than £6,000 for Great North Air Ambulance, Rainbow Trust, Paws Up, Northumbria Blood Bikes, Miles for Men, Teenage Cancer Trust, Feeding Families and Stray team is already looking forward to organising a "bigger and better" event next year, Mr Huspith said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Staff object to trans nurse using changing rooms
A group of nurses are challenging their health trust's policy over allowing a trans colleague to use the female changing rooms at work. They have filed claims at an employment tribunal 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. The eight nurses object to their employer allowing their colleague, who was born male but identifies as a woman, to use the facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital. At the preliminary hearing, Judge Stuart Robinson postponed the trial date until 20 October following an application by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The trust said it needed to allow more time for an internal investigation to be completed. Judge Robinson said the issues being discussed were "complex" and moved the hearing back from its original date of 16 June. He said the hearings would take four weeks, not three as originally estimated, because about 30 witnesses were expected to give evidence. The nurses are being supported in their claim by the Christian Legal Centre. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. HM Courts and Tribunals Service County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Nurses' action over trans colleague using changing rooms to be heard in autumn
A group of nurses who are challenging their health trust's policy over allowing a trans colleague to use the female changing rooms at work are to have their case heard at an employment tribunal in the autumn. The eight nurses are taking action against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust after a colleague, Rose Henderson, who was born male but who identifies as a woman, was allowed to use the women's changing facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital. They 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. Seven of the nurses were at a preliminary hearing at Newcastle Tribunal Centre on Wednesday, where a judge considered an application by the trust to delay the hearing from its trial date of June. Tribunal Judge Stuart Robinson said: 'These are important proceedings. 'The issues are complex.' The trust claimed a postponement was necessary to allow more time for an internal investigation to be completed. Judge Robinson said the hearings will take four weeks, not the original estimate of three, given around 30 witnesses are expected to give evidence. He scheduled the case to be heard from October 20. Ahead of the hearing, nurse Bethany Hutchison said outside court: 'We are nurses who love our jobs and our patients and only want to be afforded the dignity of getting dressed and undressed for work without a man present. 'I would like to remind everyone that we are doing this for the safety and dignity of every woman and girl across society and that we will continue to fight these unlawful policies. 'Thank you again to our many supporters. 'We see you and hear you and are delighted to stand with you.' The nurses are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nurses' action over trans colleague using changing rooms to be heard in autumn
A group of nurses who are challenging their health trust's policy over allowing a trans colleague to use the female changing rooms at work are to have their case heard at an employment tribunal in the autumn. The eight nurses are taking action against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust after a colleague, Rose Henderson, who was born male but who identifies as a woman, was allowed to use the women's changing facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital. They 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. Seven of the nurses were at a preliminary hearing at Newcastle Tribunal Centre on Wednesday, where a judge considered an application by the trust to delay the hearing from its trial date of June. Tribunal Judge Stuart Robinson said: 'These are important proceedings. 'The issues are complex.' The trust claimed a postponement was necessary to allow more time for an internal investigation to be completed. Judge Robinson said the hearings will take four weeks, not the original estimate of three, given around 30 witnesses are expected to give evidence. He scheduled the case to be heard from October 20. Ahead of the hearing, nurse Bethany Hutchison said outside court: 'We are nurses who love our jobs and our patients and only want to be afforded the dignity of getting dressed and undressed for work without a man present. 'I would like to remind everyone that we are doing this for the safety and dignity of every woman and girl across society and that we will continue to fight these unlawful policies. 'Thank you again to our many supporters. 'We see you and hear you and are delighted to stand with you.' The nurses are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre.
