Fresh approach to uniforms for hospital nurses and midwives

Diversity and comfort has been the focus in designing a new, modern nurse and midwife uniform option which has launched at The Townsville Hospital just in time for International Nurses and Midwives Day.

Executive director nursing and midwifery Judy Morton said the hospital had moved to formal scrub-style uniforms in response to nurse and midwife feedback.

“Nurses and midwives on the floor were telling us that job diversity needed to be factored in when it came to uniforms,” she said.

“On any given day, they are dressing wounds, moving and lifting patients, filling out patient charts, administering medications and liaising with patients and their families; no one day is the same the feedback was that there needed to be a uniform option which reflected that.”

Ms Morton said the new uniform met all the clinical criteria for a nurse’s uniform and were more comfortable and a versatile option for nurses who wanted to wear them.

“Our new uniforms were designed with the clinical environment in mind, they are breathable, stretchy in the right places, light fabric for our tropical climate and are in line with infection control standards which is paramount,” she said.

“They are colour-coded to help patients know what type of nurse is visiting them at the bedside, with registered nurses wearing navy blue, enrolled nurses wearing royal blue and assistants in nursing wearing dark green.

“Ultimately they are a smart and professional uniform and if nurses and midwives are comfortable they can focus better on the job at hand which is caring for our patients.”

Registered nurse Amanda Jonas said the uniform would make a significant difference for nurses and midwives.

“For me the type of work is varied, and the scrubs offer ultimate suitability for this type of work,” she said.

“As a nurse I am constantly on my feet and am moving about; the new uniforms are a flexible option that match my duties.

“I’m really proud to wear this uniform and thrilled that the health service has supported this uniform style.”

Ms Morton said she was proud to see the hospital take a step towards what is a worldwide movement for nurses to be dressed more comfortably while caring for patients.

“It really shows our commitment to nurses and midwives,” she said.

“There is a lot of buzz and excitement about this modern step forward and I look forward to seeing our wonderful nurses out and about representing our health service in their new uniforms.”

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