Sandie Peggie cleared of gross misconduct allegations

Sandie Peggie has been cleared of gross misconduct following disciplinary proceedings by NHS Fife, according to her solicitor.  

The nurse was suspended from her role last year after she objected to Dr Beth Upton, who is transgender, using female facilities.  

Peggie, who is involved in a high-profile employment tribunal case, had been under investigation by the NHS health board after she was accused of misconduct, failure of patient care and misgendering. 

The decision of the investigation was made public hours before Peggie’s employment tribunal against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, as it is set to resume this morning in Dundee after it adjourned in February. 

In a statement, Peggie’s solicitor Margaret Gribbon, said: “On Tuesday, July 14, the evening before the resuming of her tribunal, Sandie Peggie received confirmation from Fife Health Board that, following a disciplinary hearing, none of the gross misconduct allegations against her were upheld. 

“This follows a disciplinary hearing on June 25, which considered four gross misconduct allegations: two relating to patient care failures, one of ‘misgendering’ Dr Upton, and one relating to her encounter with Dr Upton in the workplace female-only changing room on Christmas Eve 2023. 

“Sandie is relieved and delighted that this 18-month-long internal process has concluded and cleared her of all allegations.” 

Peggie had been put on special leave at the end of December 2023 and was formally suspended in early January 2024, following a complaint by Dr Upton relating to a confrontation on Christmas Eve in a female changing room.  

The nurse claims her treatment was unlawful under the 2010 Equality Act and brought a case against the health board and Dr Upton. 

It was revealed earlier this month that NHS Fife has spent more than £220,000 defending itself in the employment tribunal. 

The costs were uncovered after Scotland’s Information Commissioner intervened and ruled that the health board had failed to comply with freedom of information requests.