Trans doctor at heart of Sandie Peggie changing room row quits NHS
The transgender doctor who sparked a row over single sex spaces has quit the NHS.
NHS Fife confirmed Dr Beth Upton, the trans doctor involved in a high-profile employment tribunal dispute with suspended nurse Sandie Peggie, departed from the health authority at the end of 2025.
Dr Upton’s employment at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy ended following December’s tribunal ruling which determined NHS Fife had harassed Ms Peggie.
The medic, who was born male but identifies as a woman, was at the heart of a contentious case concerning the use of women’s changing facilities.
Ms Peggie, a veteran nurse with three decades of NHS service, had raised objections about sharing a changing room space with Dr Upton.
A health board representative stated: “NHS Fife can confirm that Dr Beth Upton left the organisation at the end of 2025.
“As this is a personal employment matter, we will be making no further comment.”
The central incident occurred during a Christmas Eve shift in 2023, when Dr Upton disrobed in Ms Peggie’s presence within the women’s changing facilities.
Dr Beth Upton has quit the NHS
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PAMs Peggie subsequently lodged a complaint regarding the requirement to share these spaces with Dr Upton.
Dr Upton had commenced gender transition in 2022 and joined the hospital staff in August 2023. Prior to beginning work, an arrangement had been reached with a supervisor permitting the doctor to utilise the female changing room.
The tribunal proceedings revealed Ms Peggie was suspended after filing her complaint.
Dr Upton subsequently raised allegations concerning bullying, harassment, and matters relating to “patient care” in early 2024, which preceded Ms Peggie’s placement on special leave.
Ms Peggie brought her action under the Equality Act 2010, alleging harassment, direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and victimisation against both the health board and Dr Upton.
December’s employment tribunal delivered a 312-page judgement that upheld Ms Peggie’s claims on four counts whilst rejecting her remaining allegations.
The tribunal determined NHS Fife ought to have temporarily barred Dr Upton from using the women’s changing facilities following Ms Peggie’s initial complaint.
Sandie Peggie was the victim of ‘a witch hunt’ by NHS Fife, her lawyers said | PAThe health authority expended more than £400,000 in legal costs defending both itself and Dr Upton at the tribunal, with expenditure anticipated to increase further as the appeal proceeds.
However, Ms Peggie’s claims of discrimination and victimisation were dismissed by the tribunal.
The judgement also determined that remarks Ms Peggie directed at Dr Upton constituted harassment.
Following the tribunal’s decision, Ms Peggie declared she would not “give up her legal fight”. Her legal representatives have since confirmed an appeal will be lodged challenging the portions of the ruling that went against her.
Ms Peggie expressed the outcome “fell short” given the dismissal of her discrimination and victimisation allegations.
The appeal will encompass not only the original judgement but also two amended versions subsequently issued.
According to reports in The Sun, hospital staff learned of Dr Upton’s departure and understood the doctor was considering relocating to Australia.
A source stated: “Staff at the hospital found out [Dr Upton] had left and that he was thinking of heading to Australia.
“Whether that’s for a break or to work there, no one knows.”
The same source highlighted the financial implications, noting: “But the health board in Fife has spent a fortune in taxpayers’ cash defending themselves and him in the tribunal – and he’s not even an employee any more.”
