The Scottish Government

NHSScotland Dress Code (Interim)

Evidence-based Principles to inform local policies for Staff

The way staff dress sends messages to the patients they care for, and to the public about their professionalism and standards of care.

These guidelines reflect evidence-based good practice and aim to set out core principles that should inform the development of local policy. The following principles are by no means exhaustive, but are intended to give some examples of the issues which Boards should consider.

In developing local uniform and workwear policies, Boards should conduct a full risk assessment to ensure that local policy is appropriate for different categories of staff.

This is interim guidance only. The draft Dress Code continues to be under discussion within Health Directorates and will again be referred to the Management Steering Group (MSG) and the Scottish Governance and Workforce Committee (SWAG). This draft, therefore carries a strong caveat that detailed discussions remain ongoing.

NHS Boards should sense check this interim guidance against local dress policy.

We are committed to publishing the final version of the Dress Code later this year.

Boards should ensure that where appropriate, their dress code policies comply with these principles:

· Staff should dress in a manner which is likely to inspire public confidence;

o for example: in clean uniform (where uniform is a requirement), with hair tied back off the collar, with nails kept short and clean.

o Wear clear identifiers, (e.g. badges, epaulets etc.

o Where changing facilities are available, staff should change into and out of uniform at work. In any case, staff should avoid undertaking activities in public, such as shopping, whilst wearing their uniform, except where such activities form an integral part of their duties.

· Appropriate steps should be taken to minimise the risks of infections and cross contamination for patients and the public;

o for example: staff should wear short-sleeved shirts/blouses and avoid wearing white coats or neck ties when providing patient care;

o Staff should not wear false nails or hand or wrist jewellery (other than a plain wedding ring or one other plain band) when providing patient care.

· All appropriate health and safety requirements for staff should be met

o for example: Staff should not wear excessive jewellery, such as necklaces, visible piercings and multiple earrings.

o Staff should wear soft-soled, closed toe shoes;

o Staff should not carry pens or scissors in outside breast pockets.

· Be sensitive to the social, cultural and diversity and equality needs of staff and patients.

o For example: tattoos which could be deemed offensive should be covered where this does not compromise good clinical practice.

Uniform Laundering

The laundering of uniforms in laundry facilities organised by Boards allows the laundering process to be managed so that appropriate laundering standards can be monitored and met consistently. Where possible, Boards should look towards establishing the provision of such laundering services. However, we recognise that it will not always be practical or possible to do so. As such, where Boards feel it is appropriate, having conducted a risk assessment, home laundering of staff uniform is acceptable.

In these circumstances, uniforms should be:

o Washed at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric;

o Cleaned in washing machines/tumble driers which are well-maintained and used according to the manufacturer's instructions;

o Washed separated from other clothes;

o Where appropriate, freshly laundered at the start of each shift.