The award came after a judge ruled in January 2026 the trust's policy of allowing men who identify as women to access the female staff changing room was unlawful discrimination.

Bethany Hutchison, president of the Darlington Nursing Union, who was among the nurses compensated, said: ‘This outcome is a vindication of our stand for dignity, privacy, and common sense. We hope it ensures that no woman is ever again made to feel unsafe in her workplace for speaking the truth.'

Guidance on the use of single sex spaces was published by the Government in May 2026, which reaffirmed the Supreme Court judgment which said that, for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, sex means biological sex.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Steve Russell said: ‘Following the judgment, we issued updated guidance and developed unisex facilities to ensure that single sex facilities are used based on biological sex. Whilst this complies with the judgment we want to further improve changing facilities for all colleagues. We also have to acknowledge the impact these changes have had on some of our other colleagues.

‘Our focus now is on moving forward, continuing to support our colleagues and ensuring our policies, facilities and practices reflect both our legal responsibilities and our commitment to providing an inclusive workplace for everyone. We are also currently considering the recently updated EHRC guidance.'

A Department and Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We have always supported the protection of single sex spaces based on biological sex.

‘The Supreme Court ruling was clear, and we expect all NHS Trusts and hospital to follow the clarity the ruling provides.'