Christian nurse Jennifer Melle has returned to work, more than ten months after being suspended for indirectly misgendering a transgender paedophile.
Melle was disciplined and threatened with dismissal after the incident, in which she had been racially abused and physically threatened by the patient.
She referred to the prisoner as “mister” in a discussion with colleagues.
While her NHS trust is taking no further action, she still faces fitness-to-practice investigations from the Nursing and Midwifery Council. One claim is over “misgendering” case, with another about her speaking to the media about her treatment.
The 41-year-old from south London has said the case “is not over” as she is set to go to a full employment tribunal, alleging harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and breaches of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
Melle said: "I am deeply relieved and grateful that the Trust has finally confirmed it will take no further action against me. This has been an incredibly long and painful journey, and today I want to give thanks, first and foremost, to the Lord Jesus, who has sustained me every step of the way.
“I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has stood with me, prayed for me, and supported me through the darkest moments, your encouragement has meant more than I can say.
“For nearly a year I have been suspended simply for telling the truth: that I was racially abused and physically threatened after using biologically accurate language to refer to a male patient. I was treated as the criminal. The Trust sided with a man brought from prison in chains over a Christian nurse with twelve years of loyal service.
“That should never have happened to anyone, and I hope my case stands as a warning that the NHS cannot continue to punish staff for speaking biological reality and for speaking out about how they have been treated.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, added that Melle’s reinstatement “is justice delayed and only partially delivered".
