A Uniform Problem

This year, Wales became the first country in the UK to introduce a national NHS nurses’ uniform. It has been designed so that patients can easily see who is in charge of hospital wards. In addition, hospitals are working to identify on-site laundry and changing facilities, with the aim of preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections. Uniforms for healthcare support workers, hospital ward sisters/charge nurses and specialist nurses will be phased in across Wales from October 2009.So what is my opinion of this initiative?  When I started my current role as a cancer specialist nurse some 10 years ago, no uniform was provided – I was just directed to wear ‘appropriate’ clothing in the colours of the charity that funded my post (navy and pale blue). After 15 years of wearing a uniform, I initially thought this was quite liberating. Armed with my trusty M&S store card I dutifully bought myself a ‘smart but functional’ working wardrobe. A few weeks later I met a delightful patient and his wife – let’s call them Mr and Mrs Jones – who were both in their eighties. Mrs Jones was very smartly dressed in the same M&S skirt as me – and I have to say she looked much better. It was the source of great amusement to my colleagues on the ward – who were, I might add, safely dressed in their nurses’ uniforms and who took great delight in reminding me of my fashion faux pas. Where's Gok Wan when you need him?So, do I support an all Wales uniform code for cancer nurses? You bet your M&S store card I do!