The Trust made a decision to standardise uniforms across all clinical areas during 2022. The main reason for this is that colleagues within the same profession are wearing different uniforms depending on where they work. The purpose of the uniform standardisation project is to ensure that patients / service users, their carers / families and staff can recognise and identify who is who in a busy ward or clinical environment by standardising the colourways for different professional groups.

The first stage of this process is currently being implemented to standardise the uniforms of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals. Psychological Professions will be included in stage two of this process.

In preparation for stage two, we asked Psychological Professionals across the Trust to provide your views and feedback on wearing a standardised uniform whilst carrying out clinical work. The deadline for submission of views was 29th April 2022.

The senior leadership team for Psychological Professions has subsequently reviewed the feedback received and has also undertaken a review of where Psychological Professions are currently wearing a uniform and what type and colour of uniform you are wearing. Mixed views on wearing a standardised uniform were provided from a range of Psychological Professions.

Following the feedback and discussions a decision has been made and ratified at executive level that:

  • A standardised uniform will be available for Psychological Professions to wear if they choose to. This will be a smart scrub top and navy blue trousers or a dress. The colours for the smart scrub top or dress will be determined.
  • A uniform may be required to be worn in certain circumstances during an outbreak of COVID-19 or another infection within an inpatient unit / ward area, in line with Infection, Prevention and Control guidance.
  • It will not be mandatory for Psychological Professions to wear a uniform (unless as described in point 2) but all Psychological Professions must follow Infection, Prevention and Control policies and guidance.