Just putting the transcript of Upton's phone notes on this new thread too as it's being discussed - you can read the rest of the Herald's free blog on their website.
10:52am
It's hard to keep up with this without seeing the analysis by Mr Borthwick that the laywers are asking Mr Donaldson about
What we do have is the content of Dr Upton's 'weird incident' notes as they appear in the bundle. This is our Political Editor Andrew Learmonth's transcript.
A weird incident. 26/08/23
Nurse Sandie Peggy walked into changing room while I was changing. Looked taken aback. I said, hey. She said, hi. Then abruptly walked out. Once I got changed, I left the changing room and she was waiting outside. She then entered the changing room despite having witnessed another doctor enter. In the meantime, I know from hearing this other doctor mention it that she and the nurse had a conversation in the changing room. All very odd. Can't help but feel slightly off, upset, put off by this, disappointed as appears that she chose not to enter because of me and didn't think I belonged there. Sad times.
25/10/23
She did it again. Sandie was in the changing room, and I walked in Christina, consultant came in too. Christina, and I chatting. Presumably Sandie left, as I then found her waiting outside to go back. And once I left, didn't even say hi. Weird.
18/12/23
working nights. One week, eye contact. One acknowledge my presence, not a direct conversation. Yet I can feel this dismissal hostility. Needed to ask Sandy a question about child patient left before being seen as she triaged him, couldn't find her. HCA, Rihanna offered to look for her. Both came back. Rihanna asked Sandy of any concerns. Were both in front of me. Sandy didn't look at or otherwise engage with me. Responded. She had no concerns. I said, thanks. I needed to know for the letter, she did not acknowledge Me, either through words or eye contact, and left her area.
25/12/23
Leaving shifts at midnight. I say goodbye to everyone, including in rhesus, where Sandie is, she starts at 7pm so it's the middle of her shift, me and Shwayts and Fiona ENP, in the changing room. We're all chatting. Sandie comes in, chats a bit to Fiona. I think this is weird, as Sandie hates being in the changing room with me, but whatever Shwayts leaves.
I go to the bathroom. Fiona leaves. Leave toilet, and she's still hovering. Start washing my hands, and she says she doesn't think it's appropriate that I use the changing room. Says she feels intimidated by me. Says this is woman's changing room, and lots of others feel this way.
I explain, I'm very sorry she feels intimidated but I've been told I can change here. She keeps telling me she finds me intimidating. Says she understands I'm going through some process, but I'm not a woman and can't be in here.
She asked me, What are your chromosomes? I explained, I'm sorry she's intimidated, but I'm a woman, and I'm allowed to use this space if she has concerns, could she please raise them fromally as do not think this most appropriate time or place for this conversation.
She continues to tell me she's intimidated. Lots of people are talking about it and are all intimidated. She tells me I'm not a woman. I say, no one else has raised concern with me, but I told that if they had concerns they should raise them formally through the proper channels.
She stated, maybe she's only one who feels able to. she tells me she won't change in front of men. Tells me she's a bad history of men. I say, I understand and sympathise. She cuts me off and says, I don't understand and I don't sympathise enough, or I wouldn't' be changing here.
I again state I'm sorry she's intimidated, but I do not want to have this conversation here. I don't think it's appropriate. If she or others have concerns, they should raise it formally. I tell her, I'm not sure what I can do to resolve this. I'm sorry she feels intimidated.
She tells me I should not change here. She tells me woman to have a right to feel safe. She says it's just like that person in prisons.
I again, tell her this is not an appropriate time. I do not wish to talk to her about it now. I don't think a discussion between two people the end of a long shift is productive or the best way to resolve this.
She will not let it go. We go back and forth a few times, each time I repeat my previous statement about appropriate channels and formal conversation. Eventually, she tells me she will raise this.
I leave. I am distraught. I immediately go to find Elspeth. I explained through tears what's happened in the background. I explained, I understand her fears. I sympathised, but I feel attacked and cornered.
I explained, this is the first time I've experienced anything like this in person.
Elspeth tells me she is sorry, that I am not a difficult person, nor am I being difficult. Elspeth is kind and supportive. We agree she will speak to Kate Searle and Esther SCN.
I have time to decide on what I want to do about this. Agree this is an unacceptable way to behave, and personal attacks are wrong. Acknowledge lack of NHS Fife policy, but consultant team are behind me on this.
28/12/23
Supposed to be in with Niamh as a buddy system. Niamh's train cancelled. Enter changing room. Sarah reg and Zoe nurse there somebody in the loo, inevitably it's Sandie. Zoe leaving. Sarah steps into bathroom so I having just taken off my shoes, pick up all my stuff and leave immediately. In just my socks take refuge in the plaster room. I'm sure she noticed, but I'm not giving her the chance to try anything. Got changed in