A group of NHS nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital have launched the Darlington Nursing Union (DNU), a new trade union aimed at defending the rights and dignity of biological women in the workplace.
This move comes after a controversy involving hospital policies that required female staff to share changing facilities with a male who identifies as a woman but openly describes himself as being sexually active with his girlfriend.
The story, which has made front-page news, has highlighted concerns about NHS policies that allow individuals to use facilities based on their self-declared gender identity. This policy at Darlington Memorial Hospital means that any person who identifies as female can access the female changing rooms, a situation that has caused distress among some female staff members.
Among those affected is a nurse with a history of sexual trauma who has experienced severe anxiety and panic attacks over the policy. In March 2024, 27 female nurses signed a collective letter to the hospital management, expressing their distress and discomfort at having to undress in front of a biological male. Despite raising these concerns, they were reportedly told by HR to be “more inclusive” and to “broaden their mindset.”
In June, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, five nurses—Bethany Hutchison, Lisa Lockey, Annice Grundy, Tracey Hooper, and Joanne Bradbury—took their case public, launching legal action against the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Their story garnered significant public support, with backing from prominent figures such as J.K. Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharon Davies. The nurses have been dubbed the “Darling Darlington Five,” drawing comparisons to the Ford Dagenham workers who fought for equal pay in the 1960s.
Instead of resolving the issue, the hospital assigned the nurses a temporary office space for changing, which they described as “humiliating.” Meanwhile, the individual identifying as a woman, known as “Rose,” continues to use the female changing room.
With their concerns unmet, the nurses have now taken the unprecedented step of forming the Darlington Nursing Union. This new union aims to protect the rights of women in the workplace, focusing on the right to single-sex changing areas. Although founded by nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital, the union welcomes membership applications from anyone working in the UK who agrees with its core principles. These include equality and respect for all workers, the right to raise workplace concerns without fear of retribution, and the importance of maintaining safe, single-sex spaces.
The DNU has written to the management of Darlington Memorial Hospital, seeking official recognition as a representative body for nurses on the issue of single-sex changing rooms. Their letter demands urgent action, highlighting that the current working conditions remain unacceptable.
Additionally, the DNU has reached out to Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the UK’s largest nursing union, seeking affiliation and support.
The formation of the DNU follows recent statements from the Trade Union Congress, which indicated that they would not support workers’ rights unless they aligned with their political views. This, the DNU says, underscores the need for a new kind of union that stands up for women’s rights without compromising on the principles of fairness and respect.
Protecting Women’s Rights
Bethany Hutchison, now President of the DNU, said: “We fully respect the rights of people with genuine gender reassignment, but those rights do not override the rights of women and the recognition of biological sex as a protected characteristic. Women have the right to single-sex changing rooms, and that right must be upheld.
“It is unacceptable for women who do not want to undress in front of a sexually active biological male to be told they need to be ‘re-educated’ or to ‘broaden their minds.’ This must be challenged.
“To women across the NHS and other professions, we say this: you do not have to suffer in silence. Join us or start your own union that will protect your rights in the workplace. This isn’t just about us; it’s about protecting our sisters, mothers, wives, and daughters.”
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, added: “The Darlington Nursing Union is a bold and innovative step forward for those who feel voiceless in today’s environment. It stands for truth, fairness, and justice in the workplace.
“We urge workers who believe in scientific reality to join the DNU or consider forming their own unions. Today’s mainstream unions seem disconnected from the values that once made them great. This new union can be a voice for those who are being left behind.”
With the launch of the Darlington Nursing Union, a new chapter begins for those seeking to uphold the rights and dignity of biological women in the workplace. The DNU says it is determined to stand firm against policies that they believe compromise the rights of women and threaten their safety and well-being in the workplace.
Main Photo: For illustration purposes only.
