- Target:
- NHS SCOTLAND
- Region:
- United Kingdom
Following the completion of the national uniform consultation in Scotland at the end of 2009, it was revealed that nurses would wear a selection of only three shades of blue. Pale blue for untrained nurses, mid blue for trained nurses and navy blue for the nurse in charge.
Whilst specialist nurses support the values that underpin the consultation process, this oversimplification denies specialist nurses the right to a separate professional identity by wearing a uniform in a different shade of blue.
Wales were the first NHS employers to introduce the national uniform- with clinical nurse specialists identified by royal blue tunics. England have followed suit. Early drafts of the Scottish consultation suggested royal blue for specialist nurses.
Scotland should follow this model or run the risk of creating the same problems and confusion all over again. Currently the range of Scottish uniforms will differ from Wales and England- how does this help patients to identify us?
Many specialist nurses are reporting that the new cornflower blue uniforms are creating more confusion for patients. They often are left unsure as to why nurses in the same colour uniform perform very different roles.
People who are unwell, anxious or in pain need to be able to clearly identify the health professional who is providing their care.
Wearing the same colour as other trained nurses results in more interruptions- being asked to perform other nursing duties, for example- which undermine the holistic experience for the patient and contributes towards a significant clinical risk.
Director of RCN Wales, Tina Donnelly said:
"Uniforms can instil a sense of pride and community feeling and boost morale. Colour-coded uniforms will make it easier for patients and their families to recognise registered nurses and ward sisters."
RCN members will debate national uniforms at RCN Congress in Harrogate next week. In a resolution submitted by the RCN Association of Nursing Students, A uniform approach? RCN members will call on RCN Council to lobby for the introduction of a national uniform for all English NHS clinical staff. This is to promote the professional image of health care workers and ensure patients can easily identify the staff caring for them.
In Wales, ward sisters will wear navy blue, CLINICAL SPECIALIST NURSES ROYAL BLUE, staff nurses sky blue and health care support workers will wear green. "
NHS SCOTLAND HAS FAILED TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY SPECIALIST NURSES IN THE FINAL DRAFT OF THEIR UNIFORM CONSULTATION. AS A RESULT, PATIENTS HAVE BEEN LEFT MORE CONFUSED - THE EXACT OPPOSITE INTENTION OF THE NATIONAL UNIFORM.
Specialist Nurses are an exceptionally professional, skilled and motivated group who have earned the right to wear their uniform proudly.
We, the undersigned specialist nurses of Scotland, request that consideration be given to change the current plans for national uniforms. We accept the principles which underpin the consultation process and value many of its conclusions.
However, we would like to retain our professional identity as a specialist nursing group, by following the models set by Wales and England, to have the option to wear royal blue tunics. The current plans for all trained nurses to wear one shade of blue is an over-simplification which will cause overwhelming confusion to the public.
We also wish to assert our right to be identified as specialist nurses, reflecting the not inconsiderable professional and academic achievements we have attained.
Uniforms promote identity and instil pride in any professional who has earned the right to wear it - we simply request that we are allowed to retain ours.
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The National Uniform Scotland: Protect the Specialist Nurse Identity petition to NHS SCOTLAND was written by Sue Bagley and is in the category Employment at GoPetition.