NHS proposes new AHP uniform for England - have your say

NHS Supply Chain, which provides all NHS uniforms in England, has launched a consultation on the introduction of a new AHP uniform in England.

04 January 2023 - 2:20PM

National uniform consultation picture for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect the final design — National uniform consultation picture, released for illustrative purposes only and not intended to reflect proposals for the final design

CSP members may recall a single uniform, without any profession-identifiers, for all AHPs was previously proposed last year as part of the National Healthcare Uniforms Project.

Working with other professional bodies, the CSP successfully lobbied to have this option withdrawn citing lack of proper consultation with the wider AHP community.

CSP members also fedback their dissatisfaction with this option in national surveys, citing factors such as professional identity.

Working with stakeholders and AHP professional bodies, NHS Supply Chain has now developed a new proposal which is currently out for consultation.

The new proposed approach is a smart scrub tunic of the same base colour with different coloured trims to identify each AHP profession. The CSP has gained assurance that physiotherapists will retain navy as their uniform trim. Individual trusts will determine support worker uniform.

Abi Henderson, head of CSP practice improvementsaid: ‘NHS Supply Chain has listened to our previous feedback and we are pleased to see a full consultation being undertaken.

It is now up to members to have their say. We would encourage you to have your voice heard by completing the brief survey or submitting a written response

Have your say

Members can complete the NHS Supply Chain survey here, and submit separate responses via email to nationaluniforms@supplychain.nhs.uk.

The consultation closes on 31st January.

NHS Supply Chain has produced a briefing to accompany the survey which explains the key objectives of this work. The briefing also confirms that polo shirts will remain an option and no AHP will have to wear a uniform if there is local agreement this is not necessary.