5 Uniforms Worn in the NHS
Since 2007, medical staff in the NHS must follow specific uniform and workwear policies. Research conducted by the Department of Health has suggested that uniforms enhance patient safety, public confidence and staff comfort.
At Greenbergs, we dedicate our services to providing healthcare employees with garments that look professional and feel comfortable. We offer a range of uniforms for surgical staff, dental staff, nurses and doctors' scrubs.
So, what do staff wear in the NHS? We will explain five types of uniforms that clinical and non-clinical staff wear in the NHS.
Clinical Staff
Who are the clinical staff at an NHS hospital? Clinical staff have face-to-face contact with patients for different purposes, like providing treatment and ongoing care. Nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists and doctors must wear particular uniforms to maintain hygiene standards.
Here are some items of uniform commonly worn by clinical staff:
1. Scrub Top
A scrub top always comes in a simple, minimalist design. Its lack of accessories, zips or buttons is a clever design choice to prevent giving harmful contaminants a place to hide.
Simplicity is essential to medical uniforms, and scrub tops are the perfect way for staff to prevent contamination in hospital environments.
In the NHS, staff often wear different coloured scrub tops to differentiate between departments. In England, theatre staff, A&E staff and nurses wear blue or light blue scrubs.
Scottish hospitals require midwives and nurses to wear blue scrubs, whereas support staff must differentiate themselves by wearing pale blue scrubs. In Wales, scrubs are worn only by staff members in operating theatres.
2. Dress Tunic
Nurse dress Tunics are a female alternative to wearing scrub tops and trousers. They typically come with a collared neckline and pockets on either side of the skirt.
NHS guidelines state that if an employee prefers to wear a dress, it must fall either slightly above the knee or below it.
Whilst wearing dresses, NHS staff must wear black or flesh-coloured non-patterned plain tights/stockings. However, this may differ from hospital to hospital. Depending on weather conditions, a manager will typically discuss any uniform changes with you.
3. Scrub Trousers
To accompany your scrub top, you must wear matching scrub trousers. At Greenbergs, we sell scrub trousers for men and women made from recycled polyester! They come with an ultra-soft elasticated rib waistband so that you feel comfortable on shift.
Clinical staff often need to carry several essential items on them at once. That’s why our scrub trousers have two side pockets, rear and cargo pockets. Plus, our scrub trousers are treated with a finishing technology called BI-OME AM5 AV.
This treatment seeks to prevent the spread of microbial growth while reducing the viral activity of enveloped viruses, such as Covid-19.
Non-Clinical Staff
If you are a member of the non-clinical team, you may provide one of many crucial services to running a hospital. Whether a receptionist, IT specialist or accountant, you must also come to work looking professional and smartly dressed!
4. Business Separates
Business separates are suits worn by office workers consisting of a matching shirt and pants or skirt. For women, a well-tailored skirt with a professional cut, typically just above or below the knee, will do just the trick!
Or, if you prefer to wear pants, slacks or culotte trousers will look just as professional. The main point to remember is comfort.
When it comes to shirts, men and women can wear any type of collared shirt (polo or button-up), perhaps worn with a jumper over the top for extra warmth on cold winter days.
5. Dresses
Wearing a dress in the office can help you look professional while expressing your sense of style. So long as you choose a suitable fashion, you can look great and feel comfortable while on the job.
A business casual, knee-length dress with a conservative fit will always be appropriate for non-clinical staff. Avoid wearing dresses designed for evening wear or are short and revealing.