Staff object to trans nurse using changing rooms
PA MediaA group of nurses are challenging their health trust's policy over allowing a trans colleague to use the female changing rooms at work.
They have filed claims at an employment tribunal on the grounds of sexual harassment, discrimination, victimisation and breaches of the right to a private life, under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The eight nurses object to their employer allowing their colleague, who was born male but identifies as a woman, to use the facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
At the preliminary hearing, Judge Stuart Robinson postponed the trial date until 20 October following an application by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
The trust said it needed to allow more time for an internal investigation to be completed.
Judge Robinson said the issues being discussed were "complex" and moved the hearing back from its original date of 16 June.
He said the hearings would take four weeks, not three as originally estimated, because about 30 witnesses were expected to give evidence.
The nurses are being supported in their claim by the Christian Legal Centre.