MON THE NURSES!!!!!! Royal College of Nurses supports the Darlington Nurses!

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/15/nhs-trust-breaking-law-trans-row-royal-college-nursing/

'The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) accused the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust of breaching workplace health and safety law by not prohibiting a trans nurse from using female changing rooms.
The union intervened amid a legal battle between the trust and eight of its nurses, who are opposing its decision to allow Rose Henderson, who was born male, to use women-only facilities.
In a letter seen by The Telegraph, the RCN in March pointed to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which require all changing rooms to be male or female-only except when they are “single lockable rooms”.
“The RCN expects the trust to comply with these statutory provisions and provide single-sex changing rooms without delay,” the letter reads.'

This is such great news!

Seriously? I didn't expect that given the RCN's previous form. I'm delighted that they've come round to this point and mildly curious as to what the tipping point was.

It's so good to see these reversals finally taking place. Such must have been the hold over these huge institutions by the Trans mob. I sincerely hope that the documentaries will eventually follow detailing quite how this sorry mess evolved. In the meantime I welcome common sense, truth and fairness back around the table.

Unexpected, but very welcome news. I always felt it was particularly egregious of the RCN, of all unions, to throw its female members under the bus, in favour of men, so this is a very welcome reverse ferret. I’ll look forward to seeing other dominoes fall.

Were the Darlington nurses themselves accused of discrimination, as Sandie Peggie was? Maybe RCN could say "we don't represent people who are accused of discrimination"? Thin argument but it might be the best they have.

Better late than never I guess.

I've just had a poke around their website and resource documents and they've been thoroughly Stonewalled. They've a lot of work to get through going through all their linked docs and resources and making sure it's compliant with the law.

Them and all the other unions in a flap because men have been told they can't use women's changing rooms etc.

Hmph. My local chapter is getting ready to take a motion to national conference demanding that some way of 'getting round' the Supreme Court twansfobiaaa is found.

I don't know what will drag them back to sanity but I'd love to try.

Fantastic news (if a bit unexpected!)

Yes yes yes 🙌 (and about time too).

Now come on Unison, Unite, UCU, BMA ferrets ABOUT TURN!

This is a very pleasant shock! ☺️☺️

I did not see that coming. All health unions are captured, I’m amazed RCN
have broken cover

About fucking time

I wonder if the case coming to trial and the growing publicity around it has made them worried that their members will abandon them for the Darlington Nurses’ union.

Fun fact- The RCN also supports complete decriminalisation of sex work. They voted an "overwhelming majority" in support.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/20/royal-college-of-nursing-votes-decriminalise-prostitution-sex-worker-health?

https://www.nswp.org/news/uk-royal-college-nursing-votes-support-the-decriminalisation-sex-work

About bloody time.

Its all about keeping membership numbers and funding. The realisation that the bulk of union members are women might actually be sinking in.

Darlington have paved the way for others to potentially set up their own union. This will weaken the RCN over time.

Women might not necessarily shout and wave placards about but they are likely to take their union subscriptions elsewhere to another organisations that welcomes them and focuses on their needs.

Fucksake

Great news especially the words without delay.

It’s in the Times, too: https://www.thetimes.com/article/19a664cc-b211-4920-8e5d-7dd954806887?shareToken=f965a72d55854a0e642cb7b40d6c06df

And do we think the RCN will acknowledge their precious stance and apologise for it, or desperately try to pretend that none of it ever happened? My money is on the latter.

It's a very good point.

There is all the sound and fury, but the silent majority of people just quietly leave without saying anything.

How many nurses have left the RCN to join the Darlington nurses new union?

I recall that Sandie Peggie joined. Possibly that's prompted others to do the same.

Ohhhhhhhh, I'd love to know the answer to that!

Halle fucking luyah. And about bloody time.

I wonder if the RCN will dare to mention it in their Friday newsletter tomorrow. My money is on no chance. Any offers?