Nurses' Uniforms

In NSW, more than 1100 nurses have to wear uniforms that restrict their movement. This resulted to problems with the standard uniform introduced in 2007. NSW Nurses Association had experienced poor quality outfits. Kerry Rodgers, a nurse unit manager at the Nepean Hospital, only wear her uniform at work. She changes into scrubs when she arrived at the hospital. Still the shirt sleeve vanished after three washes.

"The stitches on the sleeves of the shirt were delivered unfinished", said Rodgers. Nurses are not permitted to buy uniforms using their clothing allowance. Those who roam in Big W or Target store to look for replacements seem similar to the store staff. The survey from the respondents resulted to 49%, 59% say that their movement became restricted and 67% considered them to be unflattering. This means that the uniforms were uncomfortable. The association conducted the poll after NSW Health failed to deliver the uniforms within six months. According to Trish Butrej, the most practical of uniforms preferred by some staff (which is the scrubs) gave a dilemma. Necklines were cut far too high and people couldn't get their heads into them, when the shirts were adjusted, it looks too low and too revealing. A nurse ordered 10 shirts in 3 sizes: one fit, one was too small and one was too big. To resolve the issue, NSW Health is now working with the contractor and area health services. Alex Perry, Sydney fashion designer, said that even though the uniforms offered a business front for hospitals, the most essential factor must be their functionality. [via]