Carla Lockhart MP welcomes victory for Darlington nurses and calls for common sense to prevail
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the successful conclusion of the legal case brought by seven Darlington nurses, describing the outcome as a victory for common sense, women’s dignity and the protection of single-sex spaces.
The nurses have secured an apology, £187,000 in compensation and a commitment to provide separate male and female changing facilities after pursuing legal action against their NHS Trust.
Speaking following the outcome, Carla Lockhart MP said:
“These courageous women have been completely vindicated. After being ignored and forced into legal proceedings simply for asking for privacy and dignity in a women’s changing room, justice has finally been done."
“This case should never have reached the courts. Instead of listening to frontline staff, the Trust spent more than £600,000 defending its position. When compensation and ongoing legal costs are taken into account, the total bill to the taxpayer is approaching £800,000 – money that should have been spent on patient care, supporting staff and reducing waiting lists."
“The real scandal is not that these nurses stood up for themselves; it is that they had to. Their courage, resilience and determination have ensured that common sense has prevailed."
“This is a victory not only for the Darlington nurses, but for every woman who believes that privacy, dignity and single-sex spaces matter.”
Mrs Lockhart, who has supported the nurses throughout their campaign, also paid tribute to the legal team that represented them.
“It has been a privilege to stand alongside these remarkable women throughout this journey and to witness first-hand the dignity, strength and grace they have shown in the face of immense pressure."
“I also want to pay tribute to Christian Concern and their legal team, whose expertise, commitment and determination ensured these nurses were heard and that justice was ultimately achieved."
“I hope this outcome sends a clear message to public bodies across the United Kingdom that women’s rights, privacy and dignity must be respected, and that common sense should never have to be fought for in a courtroom.”
Mrs Lockhart said the case should serve as a catalyst for ensuring employers across the public sector uphold the law and provide appropriate single-sex facilities for women.
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