Nurses Uniforms In Wales Withdrawn After Rash Outbreak

A range of nurse's uniforms were introduced across Wales to help patients and staff differentiate between the different types of nurses. The move was a bid to add consistency to the uniforms worn in different hospitals across Wales. Staff nurses are assigned with hospital blue uniforms and staff midwives are dressed in postman blue. Healthcare support workers uniforms are green and aqua green will denote a nursery nurse. Rosemary Kennedy, Wales' chief nursing officer, said: "It is essential that patients have confidence in the nursing profession. The national uniforms will help to remove any confusion over who is in charge."

The traditional 'scrubs' style uniforms were introduced at a cost of nearly 1.5m but urgent tests have been ordered on the fabrics used in the garments after a huge number of nurses reported suffering major skin irritation after wearing them. The Welsh Assembly said the problems were a "disappointing" blow as the uniforms, made from 67 per cent polyester and 33 per cent cotton, had already undergone thorough testing before being issued.

Dermatology experts advised many of the nurses to return to their original uniforms to avoid excessive itching and rashes. Although the uniforms were scheduled to be provided to all of Wales' 36,000 nurses and midwives, the plan was brought to a standstill after the problem emerged.

Rosemary Kennedy, Wales's chief nursing officer, said "Extensive wearer trials were also undertaken and no skin irritation was reported. Robust testing of the fabric is currently being undertaken by an independent body to establish the exact nature of the problem and, through our contractual arrangements, we expect the manufacturers to put this right."

The assembly government highlighted that the wellbeing of their staff was "paramount" and was taking the concerns extremely seriously despite the number of nurses who have reported skin irritation being "a minority". They admitted that only a minority of staff had reported a problem so they had sufficient supplies of alternative uniforms to use.

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