A transgender nurse says she was subjected to abuse from a colleague during an episode which she describes as “damaging psychologically, emotionally and professionally”.

East Kent Hospitals worker Liz Curr says a patient even corrected a medic after they referred to her with the incorrect pronouns.

And after the 52-year-old was forced to regularly remind staff members of her gender for 12 months, she was told by a ward manager it was not a priority.

Following this, a colleague verbally abused her at work.

In an interview with Nursing Times, she said: “People only know you as Liz, they have only been introduced to you as Liz - and these are the staff that get your pronouns wrong.

"That is soul destroying, especially when it’s in front of all the staff, and in front of patients.

"Even when it’s not directed at you, it still has an impact because you’re not hearing and you’re not seeing all those clues that make you feel welcome."

Ms Curr, who has worked at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and William Harvey in Ashford, began her transition seven years ago.

It was not until 2019 that she received the go-ahead for surgery, before going under the knife for the last time 12 months later.

The healthcare worker, who has spent 23 years with East Kent Hospitals, believes using the correct pronouns when addressing colleagues and patients is a professional duty for nurses.

"People [at work] just didn’t understand why they were being corrected," she told Nursing Times.

"I know only too well what our code of conduct states are the standards for treating people as individuals, and that we are meant to keep our knowledge base up to date, including on diversity.

“It’s [about] recognising people and how they want to be addressed, which is also just basic human nature and basic care.

"I know how good professionals should be and it was so hurtful when standards of care were well below this."

She concedes some cases of misgendering can be accidental - but says this underlines the need for greater levels of education on the subject.

Ms Curr, who has two sons and a granddaughter, believes nurses should begin conversations with patients by asking how they would like to be addressed.

'People only know you as Liz; they have only been introduced to you as Liz, and these are the staff that get your pronouns wrong...'

“You’re not asking people specifically about gender pronouns, as such, but you’re opening the door for people to respond, how they want to be addressed. It also avoids getting it wrong,” she said.

"You’re being a good nurse because you’re learning about things you don’t know.

"That’s our reflection, that’s our professional practice."

Ms Curr drew on her experiences to devise a training programme for fellow hospital workers around the importance of using the correct pronouns.

She also worked with east Kent teams to improve the care they give to transgender patients.

Meanwhile, she has helped to raise awareness of trans issues at Canterbury Christ Church University, Sussex Police, the merchant navy and a fostering agency.

A spokesperson for East Kent Hospitals said: “We're very proud of Liz for her work on raising awareness of trans and gender diversity issues, which led to her winning a national award.

“As a trust we're committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are working with our staff networks, including the LGBTQ+ network which Liz formerly chaired, on ensuring the voices of staff from the trans community are heard.

“We value the differences our diverse workforce brings to the organisation and are determined to create an inclusive environment where all our staff, patients and service users can be themselves without fear of discrimination.”