Do we need a unified uniform policy?

The uniform policy always engenders a range of opinions among colleagues and has been of interest to our patients and the wider public. There is, however, in England a lack of consistency for both uniform and non-uniform guidance and this issue has now become a national one. The Welsh Empowering Ward Sisters/Charges Nurse Ministerial Task and Finish Group (2008) recommended an all-Wales nursing uniform, which has subsequently been implemented. Both Scotland and Northern Ireland have followed suit.

NHS England/NHS Improvement (2020) reiterated national guidance for uniforms and workwear, clearly outlining the objectives of suitable workwear being patient safety, public confidence and staff comfort, along with a range of other elements of guidance such as good and poor practice examples and the area of cultural sensitivities. In the absence of a national policy, all elements of this guidance are currently delegated to local policy leaders to determine application and monitoring.