£500,000 for medics' new 'corporate uniform'

[Neal]

AROUND £125,000 will be spent transforming an empty ward in Burnley General Hospital into changing rooms for staff.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed that Ward 5 at Burnley General will be converted into temporary changing facilities for medical staff who will now have to get changed into their uniforms at work.

The move, revealed in the Express last year, is being introduced to prevent infections such as MRSA being brought into the hospital from outside.

A new standard "corporate" uniform is also being introduced for staff at Burnley General and the Royal Blackburn Hospital at a cost of around £482,000. The tendering process for the uniforms has begun and will be phased in gradually, but by September all portering, domestic, nursing, midwifery, Allied Healthcare professionals and pharmacy staff will be in the new uniform. Administration and clerical staff are expected to be in the new uniforms by the end of the year.

Director of clinical care and governance Lynn Wissett said: "All the areas being converted into changing rooms will have bathroom facilities and all staff will have lockers.The refurbishment of ward areas will cost £85,000 and the cost of lockers will be £40,000 across the trust."

The new guidelines have also placed novelty socks and ties on the sick list, and banned tattoos and tops exposing bare midriffs. Extreme hairstyles and colours, as well as revealing underwear, is also banned. Failure to comply with the dress code may result in disciplinary action against the member of staff.

Chief executive Mrs Jo Cubbon said: "We will have to communicate with staff on our uniform policy. There will be no smoking in uniforms and consultants will also have to be compliant with the dress code. White coats for doctors is under discussion."

http://www.burnleytoday.co.uk/ViewAr...9&SectionID=12

[Magpi 47]

I hope the staff will be allowed 'changing time' too. We should no longer see staff of our hospitals out in the supermarket in their uniforms....and this has to be a good thing.
Though the novelty socks thing is not necessary, in my opinion.

[Magpi 47]

and the next thing that the local hospitals should think about is having foot operated door opening mechanisms....or copper door handles......both of these things would reduce the spread of any bacteria.

Ties should be banned....they are dirty things......does anyone ever wash a tie?