UNIFORM & DRESS CODE POLICY CLASSIFICATION CORPORATE TRUST POLICY

5 DRAFT NEW UN REGULATION ON UNIFORM
STAFF UNIFORMS AT WYE VALLEY NHS TRUST
(1) PROFORMA FOR UNIFORM FEEDBACK ON UTILITY OF INFORMATIONS

1 SECTION 3112 UNIFORM ALLOWANCE (A) POLICE DEPARTMENT THERE
10 ANEXO 1 CLASIFICACIÓN INTERNACIONAL UNIFORME DE OCUPACIONES
20172018 GREGG ANDERSON UNIFORM POLICY UNIFORMS STUDENTS ATTENDING GREGG

Uniform and Dresscode Policy

Uniform & Dress Code Policy

CLASSIFICATION	Corporate
TRUST POLICY NUMBER	CP.2011.12
APPROVING COMMITTEE	JCNC / LNC November 2015
RATIFYING COMMITTEE	Quality & Governance Committee
DATE RATIFIED	10 December 2015
DATE FOR REVIEW	10 December 2018
DISTRIBUTION	All staff
RELATED POLICIES	Laundry Policy. Heatwave guidance
DIRECTOR LEAD	Jo Thomas – Director of Nursing
AUTHOR	Nursing & Quality
EQUALITY IMPACT ANALYSIS	QVH 04
THIS DOCUMENT REPLACES	CP.2011.11

TRUST WIDE UNIFORM & DRESS CODE POLICY FOR ALL STAFF

Executive Summary

The professional image presented by staff is an important component in the way we are perceived by colleagues, patients and the public.

Where staff carry out clinical roles they are expected to:

Be bare below the elbows, not wearing wrist watches, bracelets or rings except for one plain band
Not wear more than one ear piercing and this should be a plain stud variety
Not wear necklaces
Wear footwear that covers their foot not allowing fluids / sharps to penetrate
Wear hair tied back and off the collar when in clinical areas or operating machinery.
Have clean short nails with no nail polish or false nails

Where theatre scrubs are worn outside the department these must not be soiled when moving around the hospital and changed prior to starting a theatre case. No white coats are to be worn over outdoor clothing

No staff to travel to or from work in uniform unless the uniform is fully covered by a coat or other suitable clothing

Lanyards where worn are to have a break or tug release. No lanyards to be worn in Theatre.

1 Introduction

1.1 The professional image presented by staff is an important component in the way we are perceived by colleagues, patients and the public. Uniforms make a profession recognisable, which in turn promotes trust and confidence. A professional image is one that is smart and simple. A professional appearance and manner is important to maintain patient and public confidence.

1.2 The Trust recognises the diversity of culture, religion and disability of its employees and will take a sensitive approach when this affects dress and uniform requirements. However, priority must be given to infection control, health and safety and security considerations. Further advice can be obtained from the Director of Human Resources.

1.3 Uniforms should not be worn outside the hospital unless they are fully covered and the member of staff changes as soon as they get home.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff employed at Queen Victoria NHS Foundation Trust at whichever site they are employed. It includes permanent, temporary, volunteer, locum and agency staff and replaces any previous policies and local agreements. It applies to all settings in which health care takes place and for any clothing worn when at work.

Duties

All staff, agency / locum employees and volunteers are expected to comply with the uniform and dress code policy. If an individual is non-compliant, staff have a duty to highlight this to the staff member or escalate to the appropriate line manager if unable to challenge at the time.

General Principles
1. Uniform or clothing should be smart, safe and practical. It should:

Allow freedom of movement and comfort
Minimise infection risk and withstand decontamination for those staff that work in clinical areas
Project a professional image to encourage public trust and confidence
Contribute to staff identification by patients and the public
Be designed with a client group in mind and reflect the type of work undertaken
Contribute to the corporate image of the Trust.

All members of staff engaged in any direct patient contact are required to be ‘bare below the elbows’. This means taking off coats/jackets, rolling up sleeves of shirts and removing wrist and hand jewellery except for one plain ring. In any situation in which repeated or occasional patient contact may be required (such as on ward rounds, or outpatient clinics), staff should be bare below the elbows at all times.

Staff who are pregnant may find that they need maternity clothing, for those staff who have a uniform provided for their role this would include maternity wear.

Religious and Cultural Dress
1. The wearing of items arising from cultural or religious norms is welcomed by the Trust, providing that the health and safety, infection prevention, and security of patients or staff are not compromised.

Staff who wear full facial coverings for religious reasons are required to remove these while on duty. This is to ensure that the member of staff is identifiable and to enhance engagement and communication with patients, visitors and colleagues. Staff who wish to wear such coverings when they are not working during breaks, lunch, or walking around the buildings are allowed to do so, provided that they are prepared to remove their veil if asked to check their identity against their ID badge.

Hijabs and Jilabs are permitted provided that they do not affect health and safety or prevent the employee from doing their job safely and effectively.

Turbans, yarmulkes and kippots, veils (Christian or nikab) and headscarves are supported on religious grounds. The latter should be shoulder length and must be worn unadorned and secured neatly.

In respect of jewellery there is an expectation that health and safety and infection control considerations will prevail. Staff who wear jewellery for religious reasons may discuss this with their line managers and an individual risk assessment may be completed where appropriate to decide if the jewellery can be worn without compromising health and safety or infection control. This decision is made by the Infection Control Team and HR. The member of staff concerned should be written to explaining the outcome and actions to be taken.

Where necessary, HR can give can give further information and guidance on cultural and religious dress in the workplace.

Organisational requirements

6.1 The department/ward manager/lead clinician is responsible for staff adherence to this policy.

6.2 Staff should be provided with uniform if they are in posts requiring them when they commence employment at the Trust. Other staff should be advised of this policy and the dress code aspects.

6.3 Staff must wear their QVH trust photo ID badge when at work this must be visible at all times. No more than two other badges may be worn on the uniform or lanyard to reflect membership of a staff representative organisation or a qualification gained. For clinical workers retractable badge holders are available. Where lanyards are worn they must be designed to break/or be fitted with a tug release to prevent strangulation and should be laundered or replaced regularly. Paediatric staff may wear an additional name badge suitable for the age group being cared for.

Non Clinical Staff

7.1 Non clinical staff should be aware of the need to demonstrate a professional image to patients, relatives, customers and fellow staff and to ensure their own and others safety. Clothing should be clean, modest and tidy. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and must not cause a risk either from snagging or create an infection risk.

In areas where uniform or protective equipment is provided staff should wear this. Uniforms should be a clean, freshly laundered and ironed before the start of each shift.

Where a uniform is not provided, clean, freshly laundered and ironed clothes should be worn. All non uniform staff can wear a trouser of their choice but Denim jeans (all colours and styles) or loud gaudy colours are not considered professional and should therefore not be worn.

7.2 Footwear

Footwear must be appropriate to the role employed. Sensible low heels and shoes that provide good support and an enclosed toe must be worn in clinical and front line working areas Footwear must enclose the toe in particular and, in some clinical areas, the whole foot and have non-slip soft soles with low heels. Trainers are permitted in some areas but this will be determined by the line manager.

Rationale: To promote a professional image and staff safety (dropping of items onto toes, stubbing of toes and trips/falls).e.g. Health Records dept where a drop hazard may exist.

7.2.1 Flip-flops or open toe sandals are not permitted Trust-wide

Rationale: To promote a professional image and staff safety (e.g. dropping items onto toes, stubbing toes and trips/falls).

7.2.2 Clogs are acceptable in some areas in agreement with the manager of the area. However they must have a back strap, which must be worn, to prevent the clog slipping off and have no holes over the foot area.

Rationale To prevent passage of body fluids, needles or other instruments.

7.3 Jewellery

All jewellery should be kept to a minimum.

Rationale:

To avoid injury to patients during moving and handling activities
To facilitate effective hand hygiene
To comply with health and safety guidance
To maintain a professional appearance

7.4 Tattoos

Where a staff member has a tattoo in an area that remains exposed this must not be offensive, it is for managers to discuss with individual staff members the appropriateness for their tattoo to be on display. Where considered inappropriate or likely to cause upset to patients, carers, visitors or other staff the individual will be requested to cover the tattoo.

Clinical / Uniformed Staff

8.1 General

8.1.1 Uniforms need to fit appropriately and meet health and safety requirements with respect to moving and handling.

8.1.2 Staff should wear a clean, freshly laundered and ironed uniform each shift and ensure they have a clean uniform available in case they need to change in case of contamination with blood or other body fluids (DH, 2010).

8.1.3 Full time Staff will be provided with a variation of 3 tunic tops and trousers or dresses, part time staff will have the same choice but only 2 sets. Fleeces will be provided by Hotel Services to staff that have to visit a number of departments as a regular part of their daily duties or regularly work outside. Ward staff can purchase Trust fleeces through Hotel Services. Any requests for additional, replacement or different uniforms must be made by the manager of the department to Hotel Services. Any new purchases of uniform should follow the table in appendix 1. Any logo needs to be discussed with Hotel Services and Corporate Affairs.

8.1.4 There is variation in the colour and style of uniform worn by staff across the Trust. The aim of this is to assist in identification of staff by patients, carers, visitors and other staff (please refer to table in appendix 1).

8.1.5 During pregnancy staff who wear uniform will be provided with smocks of the same colour as the standard uniform.

8.1.6 Uniformed staff can, when temperatures exceed 70°F/21°C, wear ‘theatre scrubs’ in line with the heatwave guidance issued annually these can be obtained from Hotel Services when needed.

8.1.7 Were changing facilities are provided staff should change into uniform at the start of their shift and out of uniform at the end of each shift.

8.2 Cardigans and Tabards

Cardigans, tabards, sweatshirts and fleeces may be worn with uniforms. They must match the uniform colour or be navy or black and without motifs (except those of the department or hospital).

8.2.1 Cardigans, sweatshirts and fleeces must be removed when providing clinical care.

Rationale: To prevent contamination and potential cross-infection and to facilitate effective hand hygiene.

8.2.3 Tabards used in specialised units must be removed prior to leaving that clinical area and are not a substitute for aprons.

8.3 Footwear

8.3.1 Footwear must be appropriate to the role employed. Sensible low heels and shoes that provide good support and an enclosed toe must be worn in clinical and front line working areas and areas where a drop hazard may be present eg: Health records department or library.

8.3.2 Footwear must enclose the toe in particular and, in some clinical areas, the whole foot and have non-slip soft soles with low heels. Trainers are permitted in some areas but this will be determined by the line manager. Footwear colour should be discreet when worn with a uniform.

8.3.3 Clogs are acceptable in some areas in agreement with the manager of the area. However they must have a back strap to prevent the clog slipping off and have no holes over the foot areas which are big enough to allow passage of body fluids needles or other instruments.

Rationale: To promote a professional image and staff safety (dropping of items onto toes, stubbing of toes and trips/falls, to prevent needles or body fluids passing through and contaminating the skin).

8.4 Hosiery

8.4.1 Tights, socks or stockings must be black/neutral when wearing uniform

Rationale: To promote a professional image

8.5 Jewellery

8.5.1 All jewellery should be kept to a minimum when wearing uniform or delivering direct patient care.

8.5.2 Only 1 plain ring is permitted when delivering direct patient care.

8.5.3 A single discreet nose stud may be worn.

8.5.4 A single small plain stud can be worn in each ear. Wearing of visible jewellery in the eyebrow or other sites is not permitted. Should staff feel, for cultural reasons, that other piercing is essential the line manager must give written permission. At their discretion the wearing of additional small studs, may be agreed; hoops and chains are not acceptable when delivering direct patient care.

8.5.5 Neck chains must not be worn when delivering direct patient care.

8.5.6 Wrist watches must not be worn whilst involved in patient care.

Rationale:

To avoid injury to patients during moving and handling activities
To facilitate effective hand hygiene
To comply with health and safety guidance
To maintain a professional appearance

8.6 Tattoos

It is recognised that in today’s society many individuals now have tattoos. Where a staff member has a tattoo in an area that remains exposed when wearing their uniform this must not be offensive, it is for managers to discuss with individual staff members the appropriateness for their tattoo to be on display where considered inappropriate or likely to cause upset to patients, carers, visitors or other staff the individual will be requested to cover the tattoo with a secure waterproof dressing. Where this may impact on being bare below the elbows a risk assessment must be completed by the ward manager and discussed with IC.

8.7 Belts and Buckles

The wearing of uniform blue belts and buckles is optional but if worn should not restrict movement nor have sharp edges.

Rationale: May injure patients.

8.8 Scrubs

When staff who wear scrubs are required to leave the department they should ideally change into their everyday clothes. Where this is not practicable they must do the following:

Outside of the Theatre Department blue scrubs must not be visibly soiled and must be changed immediately on return to theatres. Blue scrubs can be worn in a clinical setting including Out Patients Clinics. On return to theatres scrubs MUST be changed before starting a theatre case.

Inside the Theatre Department blue scrubs can be covered if required for staff comfort with only short sleeved over jackets when carrying out direct patient care.

Green scrubs should only be worn on the Burns Unit. Staff should not leave the Burns Unit in green scrubs unless they are, escorting a patient from ITU or leaving to visit Peanut Ward in which case they should wear a gown, opening down the back. Scrubs must be changed on return to the unit. Staff must change their scrubs if they have been dealing with an infected wound or if the scrubs are visibly soiled.

In an emergency situation, staff can leave the Burns Unit in scrubs, appropriately covered as above.

If leaving the Burns Unit to visit any other department staff must change into blue scrubs.

All scrubs must be changed following the review of an infectious patient in any department.

Staff must remove theatre hats and masks when leaving the Theatre Department and dispose of them in a clinical waste bin.

The over jackets must be disposed of daily or if they are visibly soiled.

Staff not complying with Trust policy will be challenged and where identified, their line managers will be informed to implement appropriate performance management action

Staff must not leave the site in scrubs but must change into uniform with a jacket or their own clothes.

8.9 Laundering of uniforms

Clinical staff who wear uniform must change them prior to each shift, for a clean uniform. Uniforms should be washed at home, separately from other items, and must be washed as for heat resistant personal items (with a cold pre-wash if soiled).

If a uniform becomes contaminated with blood or body fluids, it must be changed for a clean one as soon as possible. It may therefore be necessary to keep a spare uniform at work or, if this is not possible, the soiled uniform should be changed for blue scrubs. The contaminated item/s should be placed in a ‘Dissolvo’ bag which are held in each department. Ideally, it should be sent to the on-site laundry in Hotel Services, rather than be taken home.

8.10 Tax relief

Staff can get tax relief on the cost of repairing, cleaning, washing or replacing a uniform if:

it is a recognisable uniform that shows you've got a certain sort of job
your employer requires you to wear it while you're working
you have to pay for it yourself
It is provided by your employer but you have to launder it yourself.

Further information, along with the appropriate form, can be obtained from your trade union website or the local Inland Revenue office.

8.11 Travel

Staff must not travel to and from work in uniform unless the uniform is covered for reasons of personal safety, infection control and public confidence.

8.11.1 As not all areas have changing facilities staff that do have to travel to and from home in their uniform should ensure the uniform is covered by a coat. Staff should not travel on public transport with their uniform showing or enter commercial premises, e.g. shops or supermarkets, whilst in uniform.

8.11.2 Staff who smoke whilst at work must cover their uniform with personal clothing when taking a smoking break and ensure they wash their hands on return to their place of work.

Rationale: To promote and maintain a professional image and public confidence. To reduce the adherence of smoke to uniforms as some patients and staff find the smell of cigarette smoke offensive and to comply with infection control practices.

8.11.3 Personal protective clothing (PPE) such as plastic aprons, eye protection, face masks and hats should only be worn in the department. No PPE should be worn outside the hospital.

9 Medical Staff

9.1 Medical staff must adhere to the general principles within the clinical staff section already set out

9.2 Medical staff must portray a professional image but at the same time must abide by infection control policies.

9.3 The "bare below the elbows" policy is mandatory when patient contact occurs.

9.4 The wearing of short sleeved coats or jackets (as is common in continental Europe) should be considered.

9.5 If a tie is worn then steps must be taken to prevent it touching the patient eg use of plastic aprons

9.6 If a name badge on a lanyard is used then steps must be taken to prevent it touching the patient eg use of plastic aprons.

9.7 When examining patients standard infection control practices should be followed, i.e. hand washing between patients. When inspecting wounds/ lesions or changing dressings a plastic apron and gloves must be worn.

10 Training and awareness

Department managers will inform staff of the uniform and dress code requirements on induction to the department and raise awareness of non compliance

11 Equality

This policy and protocol will be equality impact analysed in accordance with the Trust Procedural Documents Policy, the results of which are published on our public website and monitored by the Equality and Diversity team.

12 Review

This policy will be reviewed in three years’ time. Earlier review may be required in response to exceptional circumstances, organisational change or relevant changes in legislation or guidance.

13 Monitoring

Monitoring of compliance with the uniform and dress code policy will occur regularly as a part of the Matron audit programme with results returned to matrons and the management team via the matrons quality review meeting and CEO monthly review meeting

Repeated disregard in complying with the policy will be regarded as misconduct and therefore could lead to formal disciplinary action in line with the Trust Disciplinary procedure.

14 References

Department of Health 2010. Uniforms and workwear: Guidance on uniform and workwear policies for NHS employees

RCN Guidance on Uniform and Work wear. http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/78652/002724.pdf

Match O. 2005 Presenting a professional image. University of Hertfordshire

Royal College of Nursing 2005 Guidance on uniforms and clothing worn in the delivery of patient care RCN

NHS Executive, 1995. Hospital Laundry Arrangements for Used and Infected Linen. HSG.

Dissolvo Sack, Monosol AF, Hartlepool Trading Estate, Worcestershire.

Appendix 1

Title	Colour
Doctor	Own professional clothes & scrubs according to role
Consultant	Own professional clothes & scrubs according to role
Pharmacist	Own professional clothes
ALL OTHER NON UNIFORMED TRUST STAFF	Own professional clothes
Porter	Navy trousers and blue polo shirt
Domestic	Light mauve dress or top & navy trousers
House Keeper	Blue & white thin stripe dress or tunic
Health Professional: Occupational Therapy	White tunic with green trim & green trousers
Health Professional: Physiotherapy	White polo shirt with physio logo or white tunic/dress with navy trim & navy trousers
Health Professional :Radiography:	White tunic/dress with blue trim & blue trousers
Dental Assistants	White tunic tops with blue piping and navy blue trousers
Phlebotomist	White tunic with black or navy trousers or white dress
Speech & Language Therapist	White tunic/dress with burgundy trim & black trousers
Plaster Technician	White tunic with sky blue trim & navy trousers
Play Specialist	Patterned scrub top
Burns Staff	Green theatre scrubs
Theatre staff	Blue theatre scrubs
Nursing	See table below

Matrons

Band 7

ITU

Team leader AWT

ENP

Site Practit'

Ward Manager

Specialist nurses & Clinical educators

scrubs

TRIM

ENP

Site Practit

Below To be phased out

Band 6

ITU / Burns

AWT

Post reg
student

Senior SN

Team leader/sister

Specialist

scrubs

TRIM -Navy

Main- Hospital blue or white

Band 5

ITU / Burns

AWT

Student nurse

Staff nurse

Specialist

scrubs

TRIM - Hospital blue

Main - Hospital blue or white

Band 3

Burns

AWT

Rehab ass

N Nurse

HCA

scrubs

Trim

Band 2

Burns

AWT

HCA

scrubs

Pale blue/white

Appendix 2 – quick guide

Staff Group

Staff

Dress

Purpose

Clinical

Doctors, nurses,

midwives, health professionals and other healthcare workers visiting wards, giving patient care or in physical contact with

patients in a clinical area

NO jackets/White Coats

NO shirt or other sleeves below the elbow

NO wristwatches or wrist jewelry

Only plain wedding band NO false nails/nail varnish NO neck or ankle chains

Scrubs to be worn on site ONLY

Neck ties to be tucked into shirts or removed.

To allow effective

hand hygiene and reduce the risk of cross infection

To promote public confidence

Ties have been shown to be contaminated by pathogens. This can come into contact with the patient during contact.

Non-clinical

working in/regularly visiting clinical areas

Staff in contact with

patients and/or members of the public e.g. reception staff,

admission staff, ward clerks and medical secretaries where a Trust supplied uniform is not provided

Smart, clean, tidy, of modest

appearance and as above if in a clinical area.

Compliance with "bare below the elbows" required at all times.

To promote public

confidence and allow effective hand hygiene

Non-clinical

Staff not in contact with

patients and/or members of the public e.g. finance

Smart, clean, tidy, of modest

appearance

To promote public

confidence

Acceptable	Unacceptable
Business Suits	Denim jeans or denim skirts (all colours and styles)
Skirts	Skirts that are so long that they touch the ground when walking are not acceptable on safety and hygiene grounds. Very short, micro or mini skirts
Trousers	Combat trousers, Leggings, Track-suits (except for therapy staff), Sportswear or Jeans.
Shirts/Blouses	Underwear should not be visible (avoid low slung trousers and sheer blouses)
Smart t-shirts and tops	Overly tight or revealing clothes (including Very short, micro or mini skirts, tops revealing the midriff) Clothing bearing inappropriate or offensive slogans, strapless tops.
Smart jumpers and sweatshirts	Clothing bearing inappropriate or offensive slogans.
Jackets and blazers	High fashion clothing incorporating, rips or tears or excessive studding or fringing
Dresses	Very short micro/mini dresses or dresses that are so long that they touch the ground when walking are not acceptable on safety and hygiene grounds
Headwear Theatre caps whilst in theatre Hijab/Jilabs/turbans, yarmulkes and kippots All head and facial hair should be covered completely by a head cover/cap - surgical site infections have been traced to organisms isolated from the hair and scalp.	Baseball caps/hats Theatre caps when outside the theatre complex. Yashmak/Burqa as these prevent identification, engagement with patients.
Footwear – sensible and safety Compliant Footwear to be worn in Theatres should provide adequate protection and a risk assessment should be done to determine whether the type of footwear is suitable for decontamination. The purpose of such footwear is to provide antistatic properties in accordance with BS EN ISO 20347 (BSI 2004).	Flip Flops, fashion clogs/clogs with holes in the top e.g. Crocs

2020–2021 UNIFORM STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT CALENDAR ACCORDING TO SECTION
4 MOVIMIENTO CIRCULAR UNIFORMEMENTE ACELERADO MOVIMIENTO CIRCULAR UNIFORMEMENTE ACELERADO
52203 UNIFORM RIPRAP THE STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS ARE REVISED AS

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