New look: how to spot who’s who at the hospital.

9 September 2020

The smart work being done at Whanganui Hospital may look a little smarter as staff go about their work in new uniforms.

Blue, purple and green are the order of the day, with the new uniforms helping the public to easily identify the staff member’s role and seniority.

Blue is for nurses (both registered and enrolled); purple for maternity staff; and teal green for health care assistants.

The outfits have a contemporary style and should be cooler to wear as we approach the summer months.

This new look is also being adopted by MidCentral, Capital & Coast, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Hawkes Bay district health boards, and follows extensive consultation with staff. Comfort, practicality and affordability were factors in the final choice.

The first areas of the hospital to be fitted were the emergency department, critical care unit and paediatrics, and that means saying goodbye to the traditional scrubs.

The rollout of the new uniform is expected to take two years -- with replacements being made as clothing wears out – so some of the old-style outfits will still be seen around the hospital.