STAFF DRESS CODE & UNIFORM POLICY

STAFF DRESS CODE & UNIFORM POLICY POLICY NO COR 015 DATE RATIFIED 8 November 2012 REVIEW DATE May 2016 APPROVED BY Clinical & Community Policy Councils September 2012 ACCOUNTABLE DIRECTOR Director of Nursing POLICY AUTHOR HR Policy Working Group Policy Statement/Key Objective: The Trust considers the way that employees dress and their appearance is of significant importance in portraying a professional image to all users of its services, whether patients, visitors, clients or colleagues. This policy sets out minimum standards of dress in order to:- Convey a professional image of the NHS, the Trust and individual staff Inspire patient and public confidence Support good practice in Infection Prevention and Control Have regard to security and Health and Safety considerations for staff Page 1 of 12

Executive Summary Trust Policy Information Subject Applicable to Key Policy Issues Date Issued Original Issue Date November 2012 Dates Policy Reviewed May 2013 Next Review Date May 2016 Policy written by Policy Lead Monitoring Arrangements Approved by Authorised by Related Procedural Documents Dress Code & Uniform Policy All LCFT staff This policy is intended to Convey a professional image of the Trust and individual staff Enhance the confidence of service users, carers, employees and visitors Support good practice in infection prevention and control Have regard to security and health & safety considerations for staff This version HR Policy Sub Working Group Head of Clinical Policy Development and Clinical Standards Compliance with the standards described in this policy will be through on-going monitoring by managers and senior clinicians. The infection prevention & control team will undertake spot checks as part of their annual audit programme visits. Clinical & Community Policy Councils September 2012 Director of Nursing Procedure for the Risk Assessment of new and expectant mothers (HS004) Health & Safety Policy (HS003) Dress code and uniform service protocols Policy for Prevention & Management of Slips, Trips & Falls (HS014) Hand Hygiene Policy (IF001) Infection Prevention & Control Policy (IF002) Moving and handling policy & related procedure & guidance Page 2 of 12

Table of Contents Page No. 1.0 Introduction 4 2.0 Scope 4 3.0 Duties 4 4.0 Definitions 5 5.0 The Policy 6 6.0 Training & Implementation 11 7.0 Monitoring (including standards) 11 8.0 Associated Documents 11 9.0 References 12 Page 3 of 12

1.0 Introduction This policy sets out the expectations of the Trust in relation to corporate dress code and the wearing of Trust uniforms. The Dress Code and Uniform Policy is necessary in order to:- Convey a professional image of the Trust and individual staff Enhance the confidence of service users, carers, employees and visitors Support good practice in infection prevention and control Have regard to security and health & safety considerations for staff The Trust considers the way employees dress and their appearance is of significant importance in portraying a professional image to all users of its services, whether patients, visitors, clients or colleagues. 2.0 Scope The policy applies to all staff; clinical and non-clinical staff groups, including those with honorary contracts, seconded, agency workers, bank workers, volunteers and students when working on Trust business. 3.0 Duties & Responsibilities 3.1 Chief Executive Officer The Chief Executive has overall responsibility and is the accountable person for all health services that Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust provides. 3.2 The Director of Nursing The Executive Director accountable for all policies relating to clinical issues, professional practice and corporate risk management. 3.3 Network & Clinical Directors Directors have responsibility for the implementation of this policy within their sphere of responsibility. Local dress code protocols will be approved by Network and Clinical Directors in consultation with staff side representatives. 3.4 Managers & Senior Clinicians Have a responsibility to develop local dress code and uniform protocols where necessary and ensure that these are written in line with the principles and standards within this policy. Also that these are written in consultation with Staff Side and approved by the relevant Director/s Page 4 of 12

Have a responsibility to inform existing and new employees of this Policy, including those with honorary contracts, voluntary staff, agency workers, secondees and students on placements. Have a responsibility to make staff aware of this policy as part of their induction process. It is the responsibility of department managers and clinical leaders to monitor adherence to this policy in respect of the staff that they manage. Decisions may be influenced by the following: The degree of moving & handling necessary in the role Any risk of violence and aggression towards staff The degree of personal care, requiring awareness of infection prevention and control issues Whether the overall image is professional Where a member of staff s standard of dress fails to meet the requirements of this policy, it is the manager s responsibility to address this with the individual. 3.5 Employees Employees are individually responsible for their general presentation, appearance, and personal hygiene and have a responsibility to consider how their appearance may be perceived by others. This means that staff should wear clothing which: Is appropriate to their role Is not likely to be viewed as offensive, revealing, or sexually provocative Does not distract, cause embarrassment or give rise to misunderstanding Is absent of any political or otherwise contentious slogans Is not considered to be discriminatory and is culturally sensitive Does not place themselves or others at risk Employees are responsible for following the standards of dress and appearance laid down in this policy and must understand how this policy relates to their working environment. Factors to be considered include health and safety, security, infection prevention and control, particular role and duties and contact with others during the course of their employment. 4.0 Definitions Clinical areas any areas where patients* are treated Clinical staff Staff who provide direct patient healthcare. This may include face to face interventions or actual physical contact. Page 5 of 12

Direct patient care activity Activity involving direct contact with patients or their close environments e.g. this may include face to face interventions or actual physical contact. Non-clinical staff Staff who do not have direct contact with patients in the course of their work On duty whenever or wherever staff undertake duties as part of their employment, as staff are representatives of the NHS and the Trust, PPE - Personal Protective Equipment Uniform clothing provided for staff to be worn when providing patient care. *For the purposes of this policy the term patient will also refer to any client or service user 5.0 The Policy Staff Dress Code and Uniform General principles Every member of staff has a duty and responsibility to minimise the risk of injury and ill health to service users, carers, other staff, members of the public and themselves whilst at work. Therefore health and safety, security and control of infection risks associated with items of clothing or accessories must be considered in relation to activities being carried out, whether clinical or non-clinical. Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust is a public service organisation which serves the people of Lancashire and is necessarily concerned with health, patient care, safety, hygiene and business. It is the Trust Policy that each of its employee s personal appearance, dress, grooming and hygiene should be appropriate to the work situation. The Trust recognises the diversity of cultures, religions and disabilities of its employees and will take a sensitive approach when this affects dress and uniform requirements. However, priority will be given to health and safety, security and infection prevention control issues. Risk assessments will take place as appropriate. Employees at all times are expected to present a professional, business like image. Acceptable personal appearance, dress, grooming and hygiene are an on-going requirement of employment with LCFT. The way staff dress sends messages to the patients they care for, and to the public. 5.1 T his policy is applicable to all staff and it describes the minimum acceptable standards of dress at all times. For the purposes of this policy staff have been grouped into 3 broad categories: I. Staff General Page 6 of 12

II. III. Staff Clinical (see 4.0) not issued with a uniform Staff Clinical issued with a uniform It is expected that local dress codes will be agreed with the Network Director & Clinical Director, in consultation with Staff Side, for specific groups / services. Such local agreements must be supported by an approved protocol and be wholly consistent with the principles contained within this policy and the law relating to personal protective equipment, infection prevention and control, health and safety and moving & handling. 5.2 General Dress Code for all Staff (Category I) The way staff dress is an important influence on people s overall perceptions of the standard of care they experience. The public expect all healthcare workers to project a professional image. Category 1 General Expected Standard GENERAL APPEARANCE Dress code in the workplace will be smart (that is neat and tidy). FOOTWEAR Footwear must be safe, sensible and appropriate for the duties undertaken and have regard to health & safety considerations. NAME BADGE The name badge must be worn at all times when on duty in an upright position with name and photograph visible (local protocols may apply for some services). It must be worn with the clip provided or neck tape. Covered or removed when off duty, e.g. end of working day. FACIAL COVERINGS The face must be uncovered and visible for recognition and facial expression with regard to security and communication purposes. PERSONAL HYGIENE Be clean and presentable. Apart from this generic code of dress, specific groups are expected to dress accordingly in relation to their specific roles. Further groups include:- Page 7 of 12

5.3 Clinical Staff who do not wear a uniform Category II (including students) Category II Expected Standard HAIR The hair must be clean, groomed and arranged so that it does not interfere with the performance of duties. FINGERNAILS All fingernails should be kept short and clean. In addition clinical staff who undertake direct contact patient care activity must not wear false nails, nail art or nail polish due to the potential risk of infection. FOOTWEAR Footwear must be safe, sensible and appropriate for the duties undertaken and have regard to health & safety considerations. JEWELLERY Do not wear excessive jewellery. Clinical staff who undertake direct contact patient care activity should wear: One plain finger band Small plain stud earrings Medic alert or Sikh Kara bracelet must be pushed up the arm and secured in place during hand washing and direct contact patient care activity. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING(PPE) Provided for staff who are required to wear them in the course of their duties. PPE protects uniforms, clothing and staff from the potential risk of contamination and reduces the risk of transmission of microorganisms. (risk assessment should be performed to assess PPE requirements)these include such items as: plastic aprons, gloves, hair nets, clothing for extreme weather conditions, safety footwear, safety helmets, high visibility waistcoats. Protective equipment such as Goggles or eye protectors and safety harnesses when taking specimens. Face protection to include mouth, nose and eye, in order to protect from splashes from blood, body fluids and chemicals. Page 8 of 12

5.4 Dress Code for Clinical Staff who wear a uniform Category III (including students) Uniform is clothing provided for staff and should not be personalised with fashionable accessories. Where a uniform is provided this remains the property of the Trust. Staff must ensure they return any uniforms issued to them on termination of their employment. All staff must be encouraged, where facilities are provided, to change their uniform, before and after going off duty. If this is not possible staff are permitted to travel between home and work in their uniform as long as it is covered by a coat. However when not on duty, staff should not socialise outside the workplace or undertake social activities wearing a uniform. Category III Expected Standard UNIFORM Where a uniform is provided by the Trust it must be worn in accordance with agreed local protocols. These must be compliant with and be wholly consistent with the principles contained within this policy and the law relating to personal protective equipment, infection prevention & control, health & safety and moving & handling. The standards listed below are core for staff who wear a uniform. Uniforms must be changed immediately if they become contaminated with blood or bodily fluids and placed into a bag (staff may need to go home to change) A clean uniform must be worn for each shift and must be laundered at 60 C for 10 minutes which will remove most microorganisms (temperature may differ for biological detergents) Cardigans do not need to be laundered daily but must be if they become contaminated. Where a uniform is contaminated it must be washed separately from domestic laundry Uniform may include provision of full length or three quarter length sleeves. These must not be loose or dangling and must be able to be rolled up or pulled back and kept securely in place during hand washing or direct patient care. Cardigans must not be worn during clinical activities Alternative uniform, for example during pregnancy should be arranged through line manager NAME BADGE The name badge must be worn at all times in an upright position with name and photograph visible. It must be worn with the clip provided or neck tape. Page 9 of 12

HAIR Tie long hair back off the collar and away from the face and secured with modest bands and clips when undertaking clinical duties. COATS OUTERWEAR Only applicable to clinical staff with a uniform working in the community An NHS coat will be provided. Staff are expected to wear this coat over their uniform at all times when outside. However managers will use their discretion in periods of hot weather. FOOTWEAR Footwear must be safe, sensible and appropriate for the duties undertaken and have regard to health & safety considerations. HEADWEAR This can be worn as part of a required uniform for infection control and hygiene. Can be worn for safety and warmth. When worn as religious or cultural headwear it must be of plain colour appropriate to uniform e.g. blue black, white. MAKE UP Discrete make up Temporary marking/body art for religious and cultural reasons can be permitted. Camouflage make up is permitted for medical reasons. FINGERNAILS All fingernails should be kept short and clean. No clinical staff in a uniform should wear false nails, nail art or nail polish due to the potential risk of infection. BODY PIERCINGS Must not have visible body piercing ornamentation other than earrings and must only wear one set of stud earrings. Staff with established body piercings, other than earrings (one set of studs) should cover them in the workplace. JEWELLERY Where jewellery is worn it should be: One plain finger band Small plain stud earrings Fob watches for clinical activities Wrist watches not permitted Medic alert or Sikh Kara bracelet must be pushed up the arm and secured in place during hand washing and direct contact patient care activity. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Provided for staff who are required to wear them in the course of their duties. PPE protects uniforms clothing and staff from the potential risk of contamination and reduces the risk of transmission of microorganisms (risk assessment should be performed to assess PPE requirements). These include such items as: plastic aprons, gloves, hair nets, clothing for extreme weather conditions, safety footwear, safety helmets, high visibility Page 10 of 12

waistcoats Protective equipment such as Goggles or eye protectors and safety harnesses when taking specimens Face protection to include mouth, nose and eye, in order to protect from splashes from blood, body fluids and chemicals. 6.0 Training & Implementation Key aspects of the policy will be covered during local induction. New starters will be briefed by their managers regarding the standards of dress as per this policy. Infection prevention & control training will include the correct use and disposal of PPE equipment and potential routes of transmission e.g. uniform. Local dress code protocols will be agreed for specific staff groups/services to clarify the sensible application of this policy. This must be approved by the respective Network Director and the Director of Nursing after consultation with lead nurse infection prevention and control, head of risk and staff side. 7.0 Monitoring (including Standards) Compliance with the standards described in this policy will be through on-going monitoring by managers and senior clinicians. The infection prevention & control team will undertake spot checks as part of their annual audit programme visits. Failure to adhere to the Trust s standards of dress and appearance may constitute misconduct and result in formal disciplinary proceedings. 8.0 Associated Trust Documents Procedure for the Risk Assessment of new and expectant mothers (HS004) Health & Safety Policy (HS003) Policy for Prevention & Management of Slips, Trips & Falls (HS014) Hand Hygiene Policy (IF001) Infection Prevention & Control Policy (IF002) All Dress Code Protocols Moving & Handling Policy & related protocol & guidance 9.0 References Page 11 of 12

Department of Health 2010, Uniforms & work wear: Guidance on uniform and work wear policies for NHS employees Health Act 2008 Code of Practice, Duty 4 Moving and Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended 2002) Guidance on regulations L23, Health and Safety Executive (2004), HSE, ISBN 0-7176-2823 X. Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Management Regulations) www.hse.gov.uk Parliament (1974) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Sections 2 & 3, London: HMSO Royal College of Nursing (2009) Guidance on uniforms and work wear Welsh Assembly Government (2010) All Wales NHS Dress Code www.cymru.gov.uk Page 12 of 12