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An Exeter transgender woman - who is transitioning from male to female - is angry and upset at the way she says she was treated by a nurse at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital.

Chantelle Saunders, 34, from Exeter has been in dispute with the hospital for several months. She says that a nurse replied 'Er...it's a man' when she wished her 'Happy Christmas'.

In a letter the hospital told Chantelle that the nurse thought she was a man because 'you had a full beard and were dressed in male attire'.

This has shocked Chantelle who who was wearing full make-up, wig and a red Mrs Santa Claus dress. She said she has never had a beard, even before she began her three year transition.

Now the hospital has apologised and said they are keen to speak to Chantelle to see if they can 'explore how we can resolve any remaining issues she has'.

Chantelle said: "I was very, very upset. I'm a transgender woman - transitioning from male to female.

"I went to visit my friend in hospital on Christmas Eve on one of the RD&E wards.

"She was in having an operation and there was a nurse in the cubicle. I said 'Happy Christmas' and the nurse replied 'Er...it's a man'. I said 'No I'm a transgender woman' and she said 'errgh'.

"I complained at first to the NHS PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) and I received a comment back from the assistant head of nursing who said they apologised for saying 'Happy Christmas Sir'.

"But I appealed and made another complaint about that because they didn't speak to me or speak to my two witnesses.

"Now I have had a letter back from the deputy chief executive/chief nurse which basically says that the nurse involved has no recollection of making the comment - but again they never spoke to my two witnesses.

"They said: 'All our staff undergo equality and diversity training as standard. Any form of discrimination is unacceptable to us as an organisation. If a patient is admitted we always enquire how they wish to be addressed (Mr, Mrs or by first name)'.

"The bit of the letter that has really upset me is this bit, it says 'However when a person is visited we are advised to address the person as they are seen. In your case I understand you had a full beard and were dressed in male attire'."

Friend Chloe Palmer. aged 20, said: "I was with Chantelle. She had got a Mrs Claus outfit from Ann Summers and she had stockings and make-up and her hair done.

"When we were leaving Chantelle was feeling merry and said 'Happy Christmas' to the nurse who said 'Oh - it's a man'.

"I was upset because in that industry they should be used to having different kinds of people going in and out without passing judgement. I was a bit shocked."

Chantelle said if the hospital had contacted her witnesses they would all testify that she was dressed as a woman, as she has for the last three years since she began transitioning and taking female hormones.

She said: "I am always dressed as a woman. I had full make-up. I had my hair on. I am on female hormones and do not have a beard. Even my passport shows that I am female. This second letter is even worse than the first.

"Life is difficult enough when you are trasitioning. I have had hate crimes committed against me. But I am very surprised that this is how I have been treated by the RD&E. They are usually very good and treat me properly. But this is just ridiculous."

In a statement from the hospital, Em Wilkinson-Brice, Deputy Chief Exec/Chief Nurse said: “We are always sorry to hear when a patient or visitor is unhappy with their experience at the RD&E.

"In this case we have investigated the complaint and apologised for any offence caused. We are keen to speak with Ms Saunders to explore how we can resolve any remaining issues she has.

“All staff at the RD&E undergo equality and diversity training as standard, reflecting the importance we place on the value of inclusion and collaboration.”