National Nurse Uniforms

What are views in relation to the proposal to introduce national nurse uniforms across Wales, Scotland and Ireland? Generally a phased approach over the next couple of years, these uniforms in essence consist of different coloured scrub suits for the differing nurse grades. In Wales a collective letter was sent to the Health Minister Edwina Hart from a cohort of nursing staff, stating that they found them to be too baggy and indeed scruffy - not something they consider to encapsulate being a professional.

Nurses uniforms have altered quite significantly over the last thirty years from different uniforms per hospital, which were dresses, with the belt, frilly starchy cuffs and hats. Nurses then were very proud of their uniforms and it inspired people to want to become nurses because of the image it instilled. Although it has to be said whilst clearly nurses were respected and often referred to as 'Angels', there was a lot of stereotypical images about saucy nurses too! But as soldiers take great pride in their regiment, the differing uniforms per hospital also brought about great pride at being within a specific hospital setting too.

However times moved on with the advent of health and safety as well as infection control; the use of hats were stopped, belts were discouraged and there came a greater move towards wearing trousers. Broadly the more practical changes were welcomed, but with it came more various types of uniforms; some using polo shirts, some tunics and epaulettes. Whilst it is important to have practical work apparel, it is also very important that the public can recognise and identify who is who on a ward. This I would argue has become harder in latter years given the variation. The new uniforms aim to tackle this requirement, but one wonders whether there was enough nurse consultation in the design. Certainly I have not seen any options in any of the widely published nursing journals, or electronic professional mediums which would have wide distribution. I appreciate comments from nurses out of the national countries may have also been received, but it certainly would have been an option for nurses to respond too. I share the concern that these new uniforms do not appear to be the smartest, and recognise that nurses want to feel proud of their profession, but I do support the ability for the public to be able to recongise who is who and anticipate it won't be long before England follows.