A Christian nurse who was investigated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after declining to use a patient's preferred pronouns has been told she has "no case to answer."
Jennifer Melle, a nurse at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, faced two investigations by the NMC following an incident in May 2024 involving a biologically male patient who identified as female, and later over allegations that she had breached patient confidentiality by speaking publicly about her experience.
The incident occurred during a night shift and involved a patient who had been catheterised with a male catheter. During a clinical discussion with a doctor about the patient's discharge, the patient objected to Ms Melle using male pronouns and, subjected her to racist abuse and threats of violence.
The regulator has now confirmed that neither case will proceed.
In its decision, the NMC concluded there was "no realistic possibility" that Ms Melle's fitness to practise would be found impaired and that she posed "no current risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of the public".
The regulator also found "no evidence to support the allegation that a breach of confidentiality took place", concluding that the information shared publicly could not have identified the patient.
Regarding the original incident, the NMC said it accepted that Ms Melle's actions were "isolated" and "driven by your own protected characteristic of religious belief rather than a desire to harass or bully".
It added: "We therefore conclude that there is no realistic possibility that your fitness to practise would be found currently impaired... there is no case for you to answer."
Ms Melle has consistently maintained that she was acting in a clinical setting where biological sex was relevant to patient care and that her Christian beliefs prevented her from using language she believed to be untrue. She has also said that, when speaking directly to patients, she uses their preferred names rather than pronouns.
Responding to the decision, Ms Melle said: "I am relieved and grateful that the NMC has finally recognised that there is no case for me to answer. But I should never have been put through this in the first place."
“I was a nurse doing my job in a pressured clinical situation. The issue of biological sex was directly relevant to patient care. I was not seeking to humiliate or hurt anyone. I was trying to communicate accurately and safely with another medical professional.
“Instead of being protected after suffering racist abuse, I found myself treated as the problem. I was suspended, investigated, threatened with the loss of my career and reported to my regulator as though my Christian beliefs and my recognition of biological reality made me dangerous.
“It has been devastating to be labelled a risk to the public for holding beliefs which are lawful, mainstream and central to my faith. Nurses should not have to choose between their conscience, the truth, and their profession.
The Christian Legal Centre, which supported Ms Melle throughout the case, welcomed the ruling.
Andrea Williams, the organisation's chief executive, said: "Jennifer Melle's vindication is welcome, but it is also an indictment of the system that allowed this case to get this far."
She added that regulators should "protect the public and uphold professional standards, not enforce contested political doctrines on sex and gender."
The NMC also noted that Ms Melle remains employed by the NHS Trust and that the Trust confirmed there had been no further concerns about her clinical practice or the way she treats patients.
The decision has prompted renewed calls from campaigners for the NMC to end its ongoing investigations into four nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital who have also raised concerns about sex and gender policies in the workplace.
