NHS nurse wins settlement over trans patient row
Raphael Afesomu13 April, 2026 | News
Jennifer Melle, a nurse at St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, has reached a settlement with the National Health Service following disciplinary actions related to a patient incident and an alleged breach of confidentiality.
Melle, 41, said she experienced racial abuse from a transgender patient in May 2024 after addressing the individual as “Mr.” She was initially issued a written warning but remained in her role.
In March 2025, she was suspended with full pay after speaking to the media about the incident. NHS officials raised concerns that details shared publicly could potentially identify the patient, leading to a possible breach of confidentiality.
After a private disciplinary review, Melle was reinstated to clinical duties in January 2026, with no further action taken over the confidentiality allegation. However, she is still subject to an ongoing investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
The settlement was agreed with Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust ahead of a tribunal that had been scheduled to begin.
In a statement, the trust reiterated that while racial abuse of staff is unacceptable, maintaining patient confidentiality remains a fundamental responsibility for all healthcare workers.
Reacting to the outcome, Melle described the experience as one of the most difficult periods of her life but expressed relief at returning to work and focusing on her profession.
