Jennifer Melle, a 41-year-old British nurse at St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, who was earlier suspended over an allegation that she breached a transgender patient’s confidentiality, has won a settlement against the National Health Service in the United Kingdom.

Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust agreed to settle with Ms Melle ahead of a tribunal set to begin on Monday, April 13.

The nurse from Croydon in south London was racially abused in May 2024 by a transgender woman, born biologically male, after referring to the patient as ‘Mr’.

The patient allegedly threatened and used racist language towards the nurse.

Ms Melle, who had spent 12 years at the hospital, was, however, relieved of her duties in March 2025 after speaking to the media about a warning she received for using incorrect pronouns.

Explaining its reason, the NHS Trust said it was concerned about the possibility of breaching the patient’s confidentiality through press reports.

Reacting to the latest development, Ms Melle said she was happy that the NHS was ready to resolve the matter.

“I cannot discuss the terms of the settlement, but generally I am glad that my employer has finally decided to extend an olive branch to me,” Ms Melle said on Monday.

“No nurse or other medical professionals should ever have to face what I have faced simply for telling the truth, doing their job, and reporting racist abuse and physical threats from a patient,” she added.

A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust, however, noted that racial abuse and the disclosure of a patient’s medical or private details were unacceptable.

“Racial abuse of our staff is never acceptable, nor is discussing a patient’s private medical information publicly.”

“We are sorry that Miss Melle had this experience, and we issued a written warning to this patient, but we expect all staff to maintain patient confidentiality at all times,” the spokesperson said.