A senior nurse in Surrey is now fighting to keep her career after being suspended for speaking out about her treatment while on duty.
Jennifer Melle, 40, who has worked at St Helier Hospital in Carshalton for twelve years, could face losing her job after refusing to use pronouns for a patient convicted of child sex offences.
Incident Sparks Disciplinary Action
The controversy began in May 2024 when Ms Melle was treating a patient and addressed them as “Mr,” consistent with their biological sex.
When the patient challenged her choice of words, citing preferred pronouns, Ms Melle explained: “I cannot refer to you as ‘her’ or ‘she,’ as it goes against my faith, but I can call you by your name.”
The confrontation escalated, with the patient reportedly assaulting Ms Melle and hurling racial and religious abuse.
Following this, the hospital launched an investigation, leading to her suspension and a referral to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for allegedly breaching conduct rules by expressing personal beliefs.
Support and Backlash
Ms Melle’s suspension drew widespread attention and support from public figures including JK Rowling and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who argued that no professional should be penalized for stating biological reality to a convicted paedophile.
Shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho also intervened, warning that any disciplinary action would be “a great injustice,” and launched a petition calling for the Trust to reinstate Ms Melle.
Touched by the outpouring of support, Ms Melle said: “This petition shows that people of all parties believe in fairness and truth.
I have always sought to provide the highest standard of care to every patient, but I cannot compromise reality or my faith. I pray that the Trust will do the right thing and allow me to return to the job I love.”
Disciplinary Hearing and Employment Tribunal
Ms Melle now faces a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, which could decide the future of her career. Previously, a hearing set for December was canceled after political intervention. She also plans to pursue a full Employment Tribunal in April, claiming harassment, discrimination, victimization, and breaches of her freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
Wider Implications
Her case comes shortly after a landmark Employment Tribunal ruling in Darlington, where seven nurses successfully challenged a transgender woman being allowed to use their changing room.
The decision criticized the local NHS Trust for breaching the nurses’ human rights and has added pressure on national authorities to provide clear guidance on single-sex spaces in healthcare.
Reactions from Legal Experts
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, condemned the hospital’s actions, saying Ms Melle was disciplined “for nothing more than believing and expressing a basic truth, that men are men and women are women, a conviction rooted in her Christian faith.”
She urged the Trust to reinstate Ms Melle immediately, noting that the legal position is clear.
NHS Trust Responds
A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust emphasized that racial abuse of staff is unacceptable, as is discussing a patient’s private medical information publicly.
They added: “We are sorry that Ms Melle had this experience, and we issued a written warning to the patient, but we expect all staff to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.”
The Road Ahead
As Ms Melle prepares for her hearing, the case continues to spark debate over patient rights, staff protections, and religious freedom in the NHS.
For many, it has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national conversation about healthcare, faith, and personal conviction.
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