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Nurses: Uniforms

Answer

It is for individual national health service trusts to determine their own policies on the wearing and laundering of uniforms in and around the workplace and in March 2010, the Department published refreshed guidance to help them do so: “Uniforms and workwear: Guidance on uniform and workwear policies for NHS employers”.

Scientific observations and tests, literature reviews and expert opinion suggest that washing with detergents at 30°C will remove most gram positive micro-organisms, including all meticillin-resistant ‘Staphylococcus aureus’, while a 10 minute wash at 60°C is sufficient to remove almost all micro organisms. In tests, only 0.1% of any ‘Clostridium difficile’ spores remained. Microbiologists carrying out the work advise that this level of contamination on uniforms and workwear is not a cause for concern.

NHS trusts are required to comply with a number of essential standards of safety and quality in order to maintain registration with the Care Quality Commission. The standard in relation to cleanliness and infection prevention and control requires registered providers to have dress codes in place that ensure clothing worn by staff when carrying out their duties is clean and fit for purpose. Particular consideration should also be given to items of attire that may inadvertently come into contact with the person being care for.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

131072; 554 c747W

Session

2012-13

Subjects

Hospitals Disease control Hygiene Nurses Research Uniforms

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk