Nurse who refused to call biological male 'she' gets job back

Nicola Laver  |  UK & Ireland
Date posted:  21 Jan 2026
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Nurse who refused to call biological male 'she' gets job back

CEO of Christian Concern, Andrea Williams (left) and Jennifer Melle (right). Image: Christian Concern

An NHS trust has reinstated nurse Jennifer Melle and abandoned disciplinary action against her for an alleged data breach.

Melle, a Christian nurse, had earlier been disciplined by Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust for "misgendering" a biological male and convicted paedophile.

She had told him: "I am sorry I cannot refer to you as her or she, as it’s against my faith and Christian values.” She was subsequently reported to the nursing regulator and given a final written warning in October 2024.

In April 2025, Jennifer was accused of a “potential data breach” and suspended after speaking to the media about her case. A disciplinary hearing scheduled for early December was delayed for administrative reasons.

Now the Trust, which has been under intense pressure to drop the case, has confirmed it will not go ahead with the disciplinary action and has reinstated her.

Melle responded: “The NHS must protect its staff, uphold fairness, and ensure that no nurse is ever again placed in an impossible position for simply doing their job with integrity.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said on X: “I am delighted for Jennifer that common sense has prevailed. But it is not justice.”

A full employment tribunal hearing against the Trust is expected in April 2026. Jennifer is claiming harassment and discrimination linked to her Evangelical Christian and gender‑critical beliefs.

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