Staff in the NHS can have difficulty deciding what to wear, both for clinical staff and non-clinical staff. All levels of NHS staff have their own uniform guidelines. Each trust may have slightly different practices.
How to find your NHS uniformed staff member
It is important to narrow down your options when choosing a uniform for the NHS. Because you have different levels of guidelines to help narrow your options,
General guidelines for all NHS employees.
Uniform guidelines established by your employer – your NHS trust.
Your trust has compiled a list containing all options for you to fulfill your specific clinical role or non-clinical job.
All NHS Staff General Principles For Dress
First, you need to remember the general guidelines of the NHS uniform when looking for a new healthcare uniform.
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The following principles should be considered a foundation. The following guidelines will apply to clinical staff. All staff members must follow their trust’s uniform standards.
Uniform: Must follow the guidelines. Casual clothes are not allowed.
Footwear – Shoes should be closed and low-heeled in all areas.
Uniform Cleanliness-All uniforms must look neat and tidy. All garments must also be washed in accordance to care instructions.
Personal hygiene – All hair should look neat and clean. Hair that is too long should be combed back. The nails should be neatly trimmed and the fingers must not smell of perfumes.
Badges for identification – It is important that you are easily identifiable. You should wear a trust badge and a badge with your name throughout the day.
Jewellery must be small and discreet.
Smoking – Employees who smoke in public areas are required to cover their uniforms and name badges.
Your trust’s dress guidelines
Consider what is allowed by your trust. Every NHS trust follows different uniform and accessory standards. Each trust also uses a different colour-coding system depending on the job role.
Your employer should have clearly stated what expectations you must meet in order to get started at your trust. You can find this list of NHS trusts that many trusts have included this information on their websites.
If you have any questions about what you should wear, talk to your line manager.
What uniform options do you have for your clinical staff members?
The best way to reduce contamination risk is to wear scrubs. To ensure that scrubs are clean and presentable they should be washed at sixty degrees each day, following infection control guidelines.
While your scrubs must be in the same colour as your job title, you have the option of wearing:
Top & Trouser Combination
A tunic, a pair if trousers or a tunic, can be combined. The entire outfit can be either one solid colour or the pants can be a contrast like navy or black.
Because of their comfort, many clinicians prefer to use separates during long shifts.
Dress Tunic
Some trusts allow for separates and some trusts allow for dresses. There are a variety of styles available: striped, classic collar, and mandarin-collared. Dresses must not reach the knee and should be paired with plain hosiery unless it is extremely hot.
Shoes
Most shoes should be closed-toed with a closed heel. Non-lace shoes are recommended to be cleanable in order to reduce infection.
What are the factors to consider when shopping for a uniform?
Protection – Treat your uniform like a germ barrier. It should be sterilised to prevent the spread and contamination of bacteria and bodily fluids. Wear the correct uniform for your job. Wash it often.
Comfort is important – Overnight shifts and long hours mean that comfort is just as important than protection. Wear shoes that don’t rub, and scrubs that fit well. These are small details that will affect your mood and make or break the mood.
Personal preference – At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide what works best for you. Some clinicians are more comfortable in a tunic-style dress than others.