UNIFORM POLICY/ DRESS STANDARD
Version Control Version 1 Implementation Date Next Formal Review Date EQIA Rapid Impact Assessment Approval Record Clinical Services Management Team Local Partnership Forum Staff Governance Committee Consultation Clinical Services Management Team Infection Control Team Senior Management Team Date June 2009 June 2011

Date 23rd June 2009 25th June 2009 21st July 2009 Date 14 April 2009; 28 April 2009 15 April 2009 23 April 2009

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CONTENTS Page 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Introduction ………………………………………………………. Clinically Based Staff… ………………………………………… Non- Clinical Staff……………………………………………….. Allowances for Cultural or Religious Reasons……………….. Laundering of Uniforms…………………………………………. Students …………………………….………………………….. Soiled Uniforms and Emergency Supply ……………………. 3 3 3 4 4 5 5

Monitoring of this Policy ……………………………………….. 5

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1.0 Introduction The way staff dress sends messages to the patients they care for, and to the public about their professionalism and standards of care Whilst some areas may have more detailed uniform standards which have been developed to meet the requirements of that particular area eg within the Laboratory or Theatres, these will complement the general dress standards expected of staff within NHS Shetland. 2.0 Clinically Based Staff All clinically based staff who undertake duties in clinical areas should be aware of, and follow, the standards set out below:• • • • • A clean and freshly laundered uniform should be worn each day. Uniform must be neat, clean, and appropriate to the area in which the staff member is working. Identity badges must be worn in a prominent position at all times. Footwear must be clean and in good repair and of a style that is not hazardous to either patient or staff member. Shoes should be soft soled and closed toe. Staff should not wear hand or wrist jewellery (other than a plain wedding ring or one other plain band) and should not wear any other jewellery other than stud earrings and fob watches. Hair should be neat, off the collar and in a style which does not require frequent readjustment. Only a minimal application of cosmetics is acceptable. Nails should be kept short, clean and polish free. False nails should not be worn. Staff who wear their own clothes, rather than a uniform should wear shortsleeved shirts/blouses and avoid wearing white coats or neck ties when providing patient care. Staff should change into and out of uniform at work and should change out of their uniform at the earliest opportunity at the end of their shift. Staff should not carry pens or scissors in outside breast pockets.

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3.0 Non-clinical Staff Members of staff who do not provide a service in a clinical area should adhere to the following guidance: • Clothing must be neat, clean, and appropriate to the area in which the staff are working • Identity badges must be worn in a prominent position at all times • Footwear must be clean and in good repair and of a style that is not hazardous to either patients or the staff member • Only a minimal amount of cosmetics is acceptable and nails should be kept short and clean If non-clinical staff are planning attendance in a clinical area, the standard for clinical staff applies 4.0 Allowances for Cultural or Religious Reasons Any member of staff who wishes to wear a particular type of clothing or jewellery for cultural or religious reasons should discuss their requirements with their Line Manager who should endeavour to comply with the request, with the input of the Director of Nursing to ensure consistency if required. Line managers will not have the discretion to agree any adjustments that may have the potential to compromise patient or employee safety, especially regarding Healthcare Associated Infection. All staff must dress in a manner that is sensitive to the social, cultural, diversity and equality needs of other staff, patients and carers/visitors. 5.0 Allowances for Disability Reasons Any member of staff who needs to wear a particular type of clothing as a result of a disability should discuss their requirements with their Line Manager who should endeavour to comply with the request, with the support of Occupational Health Department as required. Line managers will not have the discretion to agree any adjustments that may have the potential to compromise patient or employee safety, especially regarding Healthcare Associated Infection. 6.0 Laundering of Uniforms The Board provides facilities for the laundering of hospital staff uniforms at the Laundry which is located at the Gilbert Bain Hospital. Hospital based staff should place their used uniforms in the laundry skips provided in each of the changing rooms at the end of their shift ensuring that they have emptied the pockets, removed badges including name badges and having removed all valuables from the uniform first. Uniforms are returned to the appropriate changing room when laundered. Although access to changing room facilities throughout the Board may be limited, where these are provided, staff should use them accordingly. Staff who chose to launder their own uniforms must launder them in accordance with the guidance provided below:

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Uniforms should be transported in a separate bag, then washed separately from other clothing in a hot wash (minimum of 65 C) o •

Uniforms should then be tumble-dried and ironed as appropriate.

Community based staff can access the above laundry service but it is acknowledged that for the majority of community- based staff uniforms are laundered personally and therefore the above guidance should be followed. Staff from community settings may out of necessity have to wear their uniforms en route to and from their place of work. Members of the public take note of both the standard of dress and the appropriateness of where it is being worn. The public voice their concerns regarding the possible spread of infection from contaminated uniforms. All staff are respectfully reminded that they are ambassadors for the health service in Shetland and staff should avoid undertaking activities in public, such as shopping, whilst wearing their uniform, except when such activities form an integral part of their duties eg collection a patient prescription from the Pharmacy. 7.0 Students All students must comply with the principles outlined in this policy whilst working in the Board area. It is noted that as the Board receives students from various institutions, the uniform worn by them must be the one acceptable to their educational institute. The Board provides a laundry service for students of the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and for other students with clinical placements in excess of two weeks duration should they wish to use it. Alternatively they should also adhere to the guidance for laundering which is noted above. It is expected that students will use the changing facilities available to them within their placement area and not travel to and from work in uniform. 8.0 Soiled Uniforms and Emergency Supply As it is possible that staff who work in direct patient care may find that their uniforms become soiled during the working day it is essential that staff have access to additional uniforms. Normally hospital based staff will have a spare uniform available within the changing rooms but should no personal uniforms be available then staff should contact the Senior Nurse for the Hospital. The Senior Nurse will then provide a relevant uniform from the limited emergency stock, which is held within the hospital. This emergency stock will consist of theatre scrub style uniform. Staff who have had their uniforms soiled with a patient’s body fluids should ensure they shower prior to changing into a new uniform. Showering facilities are available in all hospital premises. Community based staff should endeavour to have a spare uniform kept at their base location for use in the event of getting their uniform soiled.

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Staff who provide direct patient care whilst wearing their own clothes should access the emergency supply of uniforms (theatre style scrubs) should their clothes become contaminated.

9.0 Monitoring of this Policy Each Line Manager should ensure that their staff comply with the Uniform Policy/Dress Standard and if not the Board’s Disciplinary Procedures should be followed. Any organisational issue which prevents staff complying with the policy should be brought to the attention of the Senior Management Team. This policy is supported by The Board’s No Smoking Policy, which should also be referred to for staff. This guidance complies with CEL 53 (2008)

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