Uniforms can pose a hidden danger

TOP marks to the local Premier store refusing to allow a carer into their shop wearing staff uniform.

They are quite rightly protecting members of the public and your staff from possible contact with contaminated uniforms - they are not to know whether the uniforms are contaminated or not.

Carer/nhs worker uniforms should be put on in the workplace and removed when the shift is over.

They should them be placed into a sealed bag for transportation home.

They should be laundered at a high temperature alone in the washing machine – not with the family wash as this could contaminate the rest of the family wash.

Gloves should be worn when handling the uniform for laundry.

The worst thing a worker can do is to arrive home in their contaminated uniform and then be in contact with other members of their household – equally a worker should not leave home in their uniform as this uniform could be contaminated within their home.

The only workers in the NHS/ care industry who can be outside in their uniforms are staff working in the district, such as nurses going from home to home or carers doing likewise.

Even then their uniforms should be covered with say a coat when they travel in between visits.

Some time ago I was visiting a friend in hospital, he had C.diff infection and so when I visited I had to don protective gear.

The nurse who attended to this infected patient was very kind and caring.

What astounded me is that when I stood at the bus stop outside the hospital I saw this very same nurse jump onto the bus in her uniform (no coat) and then sit on one of the bus seats.

All I could think of was the stringent measures that had been put in place in the hospital had now been totally negated by this foolish act by this nurse.

So finally could I please ask that staff uniforms are not worn outside in shops etc and also ask staff to handle them properly when taking them home for laundry.

The CQC is quite clear on this issue and I hope it will take this on board when inspections recommence. Susan Herold Biddulph