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New NHS uniform
16/12/2008
A new national uniform and a dress code are being introduced for NHS staff in Scotland, to promote a professional corporate image and minimise the risk of infection.
Unveiling both the uniform and dress code, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the move would give patients greater confidence in the quality of healthcare delivered, as well as making staff more easily identifiable to patients.
The national uniform - to be rolled out across Scotland next year - will:
- Promote a coherent NHSScotland corporate image
- Enable the procurement of better quality garments which are more appropriate for staff needs
- Make it easier for members of the public to identify staff
Clinical staff will wear tunics in one of four shades of blue with navy trousers. Support staff such as porters and domestic and catering employees will wear tunics in one of two shades of green, with navy trousers.
The dress code applies to all staff, regardless of whether or not they are required to wear uniforms. Key points include:
- Staff should wear short-sleeved shirts or blouses
- Staff should not wear ties or white coats when providing patient care
- Not carrying pens or scissors in outside breast pockets
- Hair should be tied back off the collar
- Nails should be short and clean
The code also makes clear that - as a general rule - staff should not wear uniform out of work. Guidance on that issue will be further updated later next year when ongoing work to audit changing and laundry facilities in hospitals has been completed.
At the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh today Ms Sturgeon met some staff from across NHSScotland who have tested the new designs.
She said:
"We know how important trust is in healthcare. We should not overlook the role uniform can play in conveying the professionalism of healthcare staff and helping establish that trust.
"I believe that having one uniform across the service which is readily identifiable should help both staff and patients to further ensure good communication and the delivery of care.
"The uniform and dress code will also help to minimise the risk of infection and cross-contamination, further contributing to our ongoing drive to tackle healthcare associated infections and boost public confidence."
Dr Kevin Woods, Chief Executive of NHSScotland, said:
"NHSScotland always strives to do all it can to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the services it provides. Staff need to be comfortable as they carry out their duties - and patients need to be able to identify different members of staff - and to know that they are approachable.
"The uniform and dress code will help to refresh the visibility of staff as they go about their work while presenting a professional corporate image."
All NHS staff who currently wear a uniform - from nurses to catering staff to allied health professionals such as physiotherapists - will be required to wear the new uniform. Staff who not currently wear a uniform will not be required to do so. Security staff will wear black trousers and a white shirt, and a stab vest where local policy dictates. The Scottish Government is working with partners to develop a suitable uniform for administrative and clerical staff.
The uniform is available in a wide range of sizes and lengths, including maternity sizes. The tunics do not have breast pockets and all have short sleeves. Samples of the new designs have been tested for wearability and use by many staff across the NHS undertaking different roles.
A public consultation on the new uniform was undertaken by the Scottish Government in 2008 and staff were consulted. A total of 647 responses were received, including 20 from organisations including professional bodies, unions and NHS Boards.
NHS National Services Scotland is managing the procurement process on behalf of NHS Scotland. The uniform will be phased in from autumn 2009.