Wes Streeting meets with nurses over single-sex changing rooms

Wes Streeting has met with five nurses who initiated legal proceedings against their NHS trust over being required to share a changing room with a trans woman.

The health secretary affirmed his dedication to ensuring that the biological nature of sex is acknowledged in the daily operations of the NHS while he is in office.

As ‘Personnel Today’, reports, he met with the nurses following their submission of a petition, signed by 48,000 individuals, at 10 Downing Street, urging the government to take necessary actions to guarantee women's access to single-sex changing rooms and toilets.

In June, Streeting expressed on X his dismay that the nurses, referred to as the “Darlington Five,” felt compelled to take legal action against the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) over this matter. He stated: “We’ve got to find a better way through this and I’d be happy to meet them. We’ve got to find a way through that treats trans people with respect and respects women’s safe spaces.”

The nurses were reportedly informed by the trust’s HR team that they needed to “broaden their mindset” when they requested not to share a changing room with a trans colleague.

Since August 2023, nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital claim they have faced disregard when voicing their concerns. The trust’s policies allow staff who identify as the opposite gender to access single-sex changing rooms, toilets, or showers. After 26 nurses communicated their concerns in writing to HR and senior management, they were advised through their ward manager that they needed “re-education” to be “more inclusive.”

One nurse, a childhood sexual abuse survivor, described experiencing panic attacks after a trans colleague repeatedly asked in the changing room, “Are you getting changed yet?”

This nurse, who chooses to remain anonymous, recounted her experience to Streeting, who responded: “I cannot sit here and look at you and say you need to change your mindset. I don’t think that is healthy or fair.”

In the 45-minute meeting, Streeting expressed his belief in the importance of single-sex spaces, stating that something has “gone wrong in our society” regarding these topics.

After facing difficulties in securing support from existing trade unions, the nurses formed the Darlington Nursing Union (DNU).

Nurse and DNU president Bethany Hutchison informed Streeting about the trust’s “pro-trans” policy. He expressed his intention to discuss this issue with NHS leadership and employers.

He remarked that the situation hasn’t been “taken seriously enough,” adding that “we have created an unnecessary conflict” and that society has regressed on equality.

Since the initiation of legal proceedings, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, the hospital has continued to permit access to the female changing room to anyone identifying as a woman.

A sign that reads “Inclusive Changing Space” and “Do Not Remove This Sign” is posted on the door. In response, the nurses have been allocated a “temporary” locker room for those uncomfortable changing in front of colleagues identifying as women.

Hutchison stated: “We were nervous going into the meeting, but [Streeting] put us at ease, gave us time and listened, which was encouraging. We now, however, need to see firm action from Wes and a clear consensus from the government and the NHS on these issues.

“Sadly, we continue to be treated appallingly by the Trust. The policy they have in place is putting women at risk and is open to abuse and should be changed urgently. We have been shocked, however, to find that the ‘rights’ of a man identifying as a woman continue to be supported and promoted, while ours as women have been ignored and even pushed out.

“We are not doing this just for nurses. We are doing this for women across the country, for example, those who are working in the police force, but also for sisters, daughters and mothers everywhere.”

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, remarked: “It’s heartening to have heard how well the meeting went between the secretary of state for health and the Darlington nurses. We are now hoping that common sense can be restored to the NHS to ensure safe spaces for women at work.

“A clear policy statement is required which reflects biological reality and protects women from this kind of upset and harm at work. Legislating to protect and promote ‘gender identity’ doesn’t reflect reality. It leads to numerous unforeseen consequences and unnecessary division at work and in public life.”

A spokesperson for CDDFT stated: “The trust is committed to providing a safe, secure, and respectful working environment for all colleagues. Additional alternative changing facilities have been put in place, these include a private, lockable changing room and an office has been converted into a locker room for the storage of belongings.

“This is subject to an active legal claim, therefore it is not appropriate to comment in any further detail.”