Why patients are being left in their pyjamas
sir – You report (April 20) that several hospitals are encouraging patients to wear day clothes, rather than pyjamas, in order to speed up their recovery.
This is nothing new. When I qualified as a physiotherapist 30 years ago, patients who were not bed-bound were washed and dressed daily. If they did not have regular visits by friends or family, their clothes would be washed in the hospital laundry.
Sadly, times have changed. Most elderly patients arrive at A&E without toiletries or appropriate footwear, never mind changes of clothing, having been bundled into ambulances by over-stretched crews. Many have no family living nearby who could take such items to the hospital, or take them home for washing. When relatives who do live locally are asked to assist, many complain that they are too busy working or looking after children. It is assumed the NHS will sort it out.
As long as nurses struggle to perform all their other duties and complete onerous paperwork, and the public expects someone else to carry the full burden of care, patients will continue to sit around in their pyjamas.
Kirsty Blunt
Sedgeford, Norfolk
sir – I have long thought it was the NHS staff who wore pyjamas. Bring back proper uniforms.
Michael Allisstone
Chichester, West Sussex
sir – Your leader (April 20) on the subject of pyjamas being worn to be admired brings to mind Bertie Wooster’s heliotrope and old gold striped jimjams.
David Salter
Richmond, Surrey