New uniforms rolled out inWestern Trust

Staff across Western Trust hospitals and those providing care in the community have now started to wear the uniform. Phase One of the regional uniform project was being rolled out across Northern Ireland from September 5 and patients, clients and the public will see nursing and care staff in the same uniform across all hospitals in Northern Ireland, regardless of the Trust area in which the nursing or healthcare worker is based.

Executive Director of Nursing at the Western Trust, Alan Corry-Finn said: “We are keen to ensure that the public are aware of the new uniform which our nursing and healthcare staff are now wearing. One of the aims of the regional uniform is that it will be clearer for the public to know who they are speaking to as each uniform being clearly marked with the title ward sister/charge nurse, registered nurse, registered midwife or healthcare support worker. Research carried out by the Patient and Client Council has identified a desire from the public for it to be easier for them to know who they are engaging with in healthcare settings.”

The new regional uniform will have the designation of each staff member clearly embroidered on the top right shoulder, staff will then wear their name badge stating their role and area of work this will make it easier for patients and visitors to identify who is in charge and who to speak to if they have information needs a problem or concern.

In the first phase, four different tunic tops have been allocated: a dark navy tunic top for the ward sister/charge nurse; all other registered nurses will wear a light blue tunic top with the title ‘registered nurse’; midwives will have the same light blue tunic top with the title ‘registered midwife’; health care support workers will be allocated a blue and white tunic top with the title ‘health care support’. All staff will be issued with the same navy trousers.

The further roll out of regional uniforms for other healthcare workers and support staff is planned in subsequent phases.