NHS Fife branded the head of Scotland’s top transparency watchdog “emotional” and “not professional” in a row centred on the controversial trans tribunal.
Information commissioner David Hamilton rebuked the health board in May for its “poor handling” of requests for the full cost of the employment hearing.
But The Mail on Sunday has revealed staff were disappointed by the ruling and accused Mr Hamilton of being “selective”.
Internal documents outlining their anger were accidentally leaked to the mother of an eight-year-old boy who had asked for her son’s medical records.
Mr Hamilton had said he was “frustrated” by NHS Fife’s approach to requests for the tribunal’s legal costs.
An information governance officer for the health board said: “The Commissioner should not be bringing an emotional statement into the review.”
The staff member claimed it was “not professional” for Mr Hamilton to lump multiple complaints together in his ruling.
And they alleged he was “being selective”.
Kirkcaldy A&E nurse Sandie Peggie is suing her employer after she was suspended following a changing room row with trans doctor Beth Upton.
Ms Peggie said she felt uncomfortable sharing a female locker room with Dr Upton.
The latest twist in the long-running saga comes just over a week before the explosive tribunal reconvenes on July 16.
NHS Fife was blasted for its criticism of Mr Hamilton, putting further pressure on the health board before the tribunal restarts.
Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “The sheer level of both insensitivity and incompetence from NHS Fife beggars belief.
“With the Sandie Peggie tribunal about to resume, NHS Fife will be back in the news every day.
“It is hard to see how the public can have any remaining confidence in its leadership.”
A spokesperson for NHS Fife said: “NHS Fife stated publicly that it accepted the decision of the commissioner and is currently carrying ‘adequate, proportionate searches for the information’ as prescribed.
“In considering its response to the commissioner, a member of staff made draft internal notes reflecting on a complex and challenging case which could be perceived as questioning elements of the judgement.
“These notes were subsequently and mistakenly shared in error with a member of the public as part of a separate data request.
“Once the error was identified this was immediately recorded in-line with NHS Fife’s statutory requirements relating to data breaches.
“NHS Fife fully respects the role and authority of the Scottish Information Commissioner.”
The Courier reported in March that NHS Fife is not covering the full bill for the tribunal.
And we also revealed the maximum payout the health board would have to give Ms Peggie if she wins her case.
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