Today, 7 April, Frimley Health Foundation Trust (FHFT) is showcasing a new look for its nursing and midwifery, pharmacy, healthcare science and allied health professional teams.  

The updated, user-friendly and cost-saving uniform benefits both patients and staff. While it’s more comfortable for staff to wear, the distinct colour structure ensures staff roles are more recognisable, giving clarity of care to patients, service users and visitors. 

The 4 main colourways are: 

  • Nursing and midwifery – blue 
  • Pharmacy – green 
  • Healthcare science – green/blue 
  • Allied Health Professionals – ruby and white 

The project, of which FHFT was an early adopter, was spearheaded by NHS Supply Chain with the vision to create a uniform that delivered exceptional value for money with a unified look to fit the current needs, culture and roles of our NHS staff. 

NHS in England spends around £23 million every year on uniform with garments varying in both quality and price from each trust. FHFT is the first Trust in the south to roll out this new NHS Healthcare Uniform, which after the initial outlay, will see the Trust benefit from considerable cost savings of roughly 58-61% per garment.  

Melanie van Limborgh, Chief of Nursing and Midwifery, says; “The new uniform is a much better fit for our staff. At a glance patients have the benefit of knowing exactly who is looking after them, and our staff are much more comfortable working in a more flexible uniform that they helped create. As an early adopter, our staff were instrumental in testing, giving feedback on the fabric, fit and colourways. Reducing the number of core colours means that patients can tell the difference between our specialists more easily, reducing patient confusion.” 

The NHS Healthcare Uniform will be rolling out in more trusts, imminently. 

What our staff have to say about the new uniform:  

Karin, consultant nurse, says; “the tunic is a winner, nicely loose on top and skims the hips.” Sandra, HCA, says; “I love it!” 

Lisa, staff nurse; said “the new material being breathable will be so much more comfortable and cooler in the summer.”

Other comments include; “I much prefer scrub style (as it’s) so much more comfortable.” “I love the loose-fitting style, it’s so practical for working with patients” and “I am delighted. I have worked in the NHS for years and it’s the first time ever I have had a uniform that fits.”