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NHS Scotland’s Uniform Approach

A new national uniform and a dress code are being introduced for NHS staff in Scotland.  In a bid to make staff more readily identifiable and fight the risk of hospital  infections a new set of clothing guidelines will be introduced from next year. Clinical staff will be dressed in shades of blue whilst support staff will be in green. It is hoped that this will help patients know who they are dealing with.
The  new dress code will apply to all staff, regardless of whether or not they are required to wear uniforms. The guidelines state that:

Staff should wear short-sleeved shirts or blouses                                               Staff should not wear ties or white coats when providing patient care
Staff should not carry pens or scissors in outside breast pockets
Hair should be tied back off the collar
Nails should be short and clean
Staff should not wear uniform out of work.

Speaking at  the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the Health Secretary,Ms Sturgeon  said:
“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.”

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.  Security staff will wear black trousers and a white shirt, and a stab vest where local policy dictates. A suitable uniform for administrative and clerical staff is currently under development.