Ms Hooper, who has worked for the trust since 2002, added: «I was initially apprehensive about expressing my concerns due to a fear of being labelled a bigot or transphobic.
«Someone had obviously allowed RH [Rose Henderson] to be in our changing room. I thought that if I spoke up about it, it would be seen as offensive.»
Image: A group of nurses from Darlington Memorial Hospital arriving at an employment tribunal in Newcastle in April. File pic: PA
Ms Hooper said her view changed when other colleagues referred to Rose Henderson’s behavior in the changing room.
The claimant said senior colleagues had a meeting following complaints from staff and the response was «we had to accept the situation due to the inclusiveness of the NHS, despite the fact that a number of departments had raised the same issue».
Read more from Sky News: Supreme Court defines a woman English FA bans transgender women Schools must have separate toilets
Ms Hooper said that in July 2024 the trust made a manager’s old office – the size of a small box bedroom – into an alternative changing-room, but she said it was unsuitable as it opened directly onto a corridor.
‘We felt humiliated, ostracized’
She said: «Although some of us, including me, chose to use this room rather than risk stripping off in front of RH [Rose Henderson], we felt humiliated, ostracized and very much let down by our employer, who should have been ensuring all staff were comfortable and safe at work, and claims to champion respect and dignity for all.»
The nurses say the health trust «permits any member of staff (regardless of sex and regardless of gender reassignment) to choose their ‘gender identity’ and to access a single-sex changing room on that basis».
Last week, the tribunal heard evidence from other claimants, including nurse Bethany Hutchison, who said she became frustrated by bosses’ «lack of compassion, concern and respect» over the issue.
Another colleague, Karen Danson, told the tribunal Rose Henderson asked her three times if she was getting changed when they were alone together in the changing room.
A spokesperson for the health trust said: «County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing safe, respectful and inclusive care for patients and working environment for all colleagues.
«As this matter is the subject of ongoing employment tribunal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the trust to comment further while the case is active.»
The hearing continues.
File pic: PA
Ms Hooper said her view changed when other colleagues referred to Rose Henderson’s behaviour in the changing room.
The claimant said senior colleagues had a meeting following complaints from staff and the response was «we had to accept the situation due to the inclusiveness of the NHS, despite the fact that a number of departments had raised the same issue».
Read more from Sky News: Supreme Court defines a woman English FA bans transgender women Schools must have separate toilets
Ms Hooper said that in July 2024 the trust made a manager’s old office – the size of a small box bedroom – into an alternative changing-room, but she said it was unsuitable as it opened directly onto a corridor.
‘We felt humiliated, ostracised’
She said: «Although some of us, including me, chose to use this room rather than risk stripping off in front of RH [Rose Henderson], we felt humiliated, ostracised and very much let down by our employer, who should have been ensuring all staff were comfortable and safe at work, and claims to champion respect and dignity for all.»
The nurses say the health trust «permits any member of staff (regardless of sex and regardless of gender reassignment) to choose their ‘gender identity’ and to access a single-sex changing room on that basis».
Last week, the tribunal heard evidence from other claimants, including nurse Bethany Hutchison, who said she became frustrated by bosses’ «lack of compassion, concern and respect» over the issue.
Another colleague, Karen Danson, told the tribunal Rose Henderson asked her three times if she was getting changed when they were alone together in the changing room.
A spokesperson for the health trust said: «County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing safe, respectful and inclusive care for patients and working environment for all colleagues.
«As this matter is the subject of ongoing employment tribunal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the trust to comment further while the case is active.»
Image: A group of nurses from Darlington Memorial Hospital arriving at an employment tribunal in Newcastle in April. File pic: PA
Ms Hooper said her perspective changed when other colleagues mentioned Rose Henderson’s behavior in the changing room.
The claimant stated that senior colleagues held a meeting after receiving complaints from staff, and the response was «we had to accept the situation due to the inclusiveness of the NHS, despite the fact that a number of departments had raised the same issue.»
Read more from Sky News: Supreme Court defines a woman English FA bans transgender women Schools must have separate toilets
Ms Hooper mentioned that in July 2024, the trust converted a manager’s old office – the size of a small box bedroom – into an alternative changing room, but she found it unsuitable as it opened directly onto a corridor.
‘We felt humiliated, ostracised’
She said: «Although some of us, including me, chose to use this room rather than risk stripping off in front of RH [Rose Henderson], we felt humiliated, ostracised, and very much let down by our employer, who should have been ensuring all staff were comfortable and safe at work, and claims to champion respect and dignity for all.»
The nurses claim that the health trust «permits any member of staff (regardless of sex and regardless of gender reassignment) to choose their ‘gender identity’ and to access a single-sex changing room on that basis.»
Last week, the tribunal heard testimony from other claimants, including nurse Bethany Hutchison, who expressed frustration over bosses’ «lack of compassion, concern, and respect» regarding the issue.
Another colleague, Karen Danson, informed the tribunal that Rose Henderson asked her three times if she was getting changed when they were alone together in the changing room.
A spokesperson for the health trust stated: «County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing safe, respectful, and inclusive care for patients and a working environment for all colleagues.
«As this matter is the subject of ongoing employment tribunal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the trust to comment further while the case is active.»
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