Uniform Consultation

As I am sure you will all be aware, and have already participated in surveys, the National Uniform Consultation is ongoing. There have been several meetings with some difficult conversations but I am pleased to report that the recommendations will be coming out shortly from the NHS Supply Chain for further consultation. In advance of this, I would like to lay out the key points.

This is for NHS England only, and is not mandatory, but advisory. It is hoped that Trusts will follow this advice which will mean uniformity for all NHS staff across multiple hospital sites, allowing staff to “take their uniforms with them” if they move Trusts, reducing the need for replacement uniforms.

All AHP’s will have the same base colour for their smart scrub style tunics, in a choice of either white, light grey or smoked berry with a wide individual colour band for each AHP group. White or light grey is probably the better colour choice for contract with the coloured trim, which will be around the collar and arms, and on the pockets.

Advanced practice / consultant status, Head of service will share the colourways defined across all staff groups to demonstrate higher level roles, but the choice to remain in the standard AHP colourway remains through choice.

Unregistered support workers will have the same colour uniform but no contrasting trim, to unify them as a group across all AHP’s

Sizing will be available across XS to 5XL in short / regular / tall lengths

The colourway for each AHP group will be decided by the Uniform group, with the larger AHP professions that have a recognised colour associated with the profession having first choice – eg physio dark blue, OT bottle green etc. As Orthoptists do not already have an associated colourway, I have asked for a green / blue tone that reflects our BIOS logo.

Please do respond to the survey that is coming out – BIOS has worked hard to have a voice, and been vocal in refusing an option that resulted in the grouping of AHP’s due to loss of identity – hopefully this will result in a wider recognition of AHP’s as a whole, whilst preserving our individual identity as a profession, whilst helping patients, relatives and other NHS staff recognise who we are.

Julie Dowdney