Welcome News

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES NEW NATIONAL NURSES UNIFORM
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming the introduction of new all-Wales uniforms for NHS nurses – designed so that patients can easily see who is in charge of hospital wards. The recommendation for the new national uniform was proposed by a group established by the Assembly Government and included representatives from the Royal College of Nursing, UNISON and the Royal College of Midwives. Wales is the first UK country to suggest introducing a national uniform for nurses.
More uniforms will be provided, and hospitals are working to identify on-site laundry and changing facilities in a bid to prevent and control healthcare associated infections.
Mr Sargeant said: “The new uniforms will allow all staff, patients and visitors to simply identify who has what role and responsibilities. It will be immediately clear who is in charge.
“I am particularly keen on having more uniforms and on-site laundry and changing facilities in order to prevent and reduce the spread of healthcare associated infections. More uniforms will be available so that staff can change if their uniforms get dirty during the course of their shift. Furthermore, uniforms need to be regularly replaced, and by having a consistent design and buying in bulk we can make things more cost effective.”
The uniforms for Healthcare Support Workers to hospital wards sisters/ charges nurses will be phased in across Wales from October 2009.