NHS are not giving my wife any uniform AIBU?

[filletofishmeal]

My wife started her job in March, and within the first week the uniform was ordered. She chased this up in May and was initially told that she did not order any, and then after my wife insisted she has the uniform lady admitted she ordered the wrong size. It is now June and she asked for an update today, and was told that it is not coming anytime soon.

We have collectively spent over £100 on uniform, and she needs to buy summer outfits for work ( which is part of her dress code and was ordered 3 months in advance). She says that there is no one to complain to as there is only 1 person in the department, so she can get away with not doing anything. She never picks up her phone and ignores people's messages, basically waiting for her pension to kick in !

AIBU for saying that the NHS should really give her the promised uniform, as I don't really fancy spending another £100 when it is down to their laziness.

We used to have a summer uniform when I worked on a wound care unit. Tunics in the winter and thinner T-shirts in the summer.

I can’t imagine any situation in which my partner would be so involved in the intricacies of work uniform situation.

Normal response - it’s frustrating that DW’s work have messed up her uniform and it’s had to come out of the family budget.

Not normal response - all of the above.

Are you this controlling in all areas of your wife’s life?

This all seems a bit creepy tbh. She’s a grown woman with a job, why is her husband getting over-involved in her work clothes?? Weird.

Are you always this controlling? It’s your wife’s issue, I’m sure she can sort it herself.

You read my mind. Why are you even involved @filletofishmeal? It’s not your issue.

I bought her some black trousers and white blouses
Your wording of this is very odd. Surely she bought them, not you?

You don't like the NHS much do you? Your anger is palpable. Ultimately this isn't your problem to solve, your wife needs to, it's not ideal but it's also not a huge drama lots of people have to wear clothes they pay for for work all of the time. Either she goes to her boss and says can I have scrubs to wear until my uniform arrives or she buys a few white t-shirts from Primark (£2.50 each). Her choice not yours.

NHS Uniform does not generally change by the seasons. Healthcare settings tend to be pretty warm. Pick up a pack of cheap white polo shirts from Primark or similar.

In many areas, charities were set up during the pandemic to sew scrubs for the NHS from donated fabric or old duvet covers. Why doesn’t your wife (who is presumably an adult capable of holding a job) check whether there was one for your area and, if they are still in operation, ask them, or ask her managers to submit a request if they don't supply individuals, for free scrubs.

I don't really fancy spending another £100 when it is down to their laziness.

Not being funny but most people have to buy clothes for work that they wouldn't normally wear for not working. Suits, dresses, smart trousers. Also, it isn't you spending is it, surely it would come out of the money she has earnt?

Why not let her make her own decisions, it looks like you are being more than a little controlling and making her life much harder than it has to be.

Is your wife even concerned, or is it just you who is bothered because it's costing you money?

Has she tried asking for an alternative uniform for while she waits?

Exactly. You seem to be very involved in your wife’s clothes purchasing. I wouldn’t dream of getting involved in what my partner wears to work and vice versa, regardless of bank account situation

Oh and you do realise the vast majority of people have to buy their own clothes for work

Weird post & an attempt to NHS bash, she should have a chain of command above her and be able to escalate up via her immediate supervisor, who would chase up the order.

Its not her responsibility to provide her own uniform, my DD did on line stuff & shadowing for the 2 weeks it took to specially order in her Physio work wear, as she is quite small & they originally messed up the order, she wore her student placement clothing until new arrived.

This seems a bit much…. She’s either a nurse, doctor or AHP who can wear scrubs. (Provided in hospital and Don’t even need to wash them yourself) or she’s a ward clerk, domestic or porter who could wear a polo shirt… no idea who’d be wearing a provided for uniform that consists of a blouse. Oh and I roast my arse off in a tunic 12 months of year!! There will 100% be some spare uniform kicking about if she asks the right people… even other colleagues. My trust has a uniform Swap on FB.

As said, you are way too involved in this. Your wording is odd. You both earn money, you both get disposable income and if she chooses to buy clothes to wear for work, then that's up to her. Both my DD'S work in catering in the hospital. Both have bought work trousers from Matalan and polos from Amazon. Like millions of other people, they consider work clothes a usual expenditure. You seem think that you are in control of her money, when you aren't. You aren't in charge, you are equals and if she doesn't want to push things, she gets to decide that.

@Nap1983, catering and other departments get supplied blouses. One hospital that one of my DD'S works in has a delay on uniform, so bought her own and my other DD at a different hospital has opted out and wears a polo.

If the uniform is washed at home and has a logo, don’t forget to claim £100 tax allowance from HMRC 👍👍

May be just £100 but better in my pocket than theirs 👍👍

Why are you so overinvolved in this? What do you think mumsnet can do about her not having a uniform for her work? Why can't she just get scrubs, they are in a big laundry bag down in theatres and staff can just help themselves to their size.

Is this just a nhs bashing thread, clinical staff can wear scrubs, non clinical polo tops, I have never heard of a winter or summer uniform and op hasnt told us what her job is.

It’s not “the NHS”, it’s the individual trust she works for.
I doubt she even works directly for the trust if they’re happy for her to come in in her civvies-no way would this happen. You’re being really cagey about her actual role too.
also it’s weird that you’re this involved. YABU.

@TyrannosaurusRegina
@BlanketsBanned
agreed! Don’t think she is actually directly employed by any NHS trust.

Can I ask, sorry off topic, do HCA's count as clinical staff members?

Or she could try to obtain scrubs from theatres like some of us have suggested (and you've ignored).

Its not just theatres, unsurprisingly there are stashes of them around the place as there needs to be something for people who need an unexpected emergency change. Generally spare stashes are kept around the odd shower as often necessitating the use of these means you need a shower also. You’ll also find some tucked away in cupboards around the place. Go to A&E as your first port of call.

Seriously, if this is such an issue her manager or someone up her chain will be able to get her some to use now while waiting. 2 pairs would do and she can take them home and bring them in daily while waiting then pop them back in laundry when her uniform arrives. They are easy wash and dry if she’s not having people bleed out all over her. There should be zero need for involvement from a spouse/partner on this.

@desmo yes, they provide direct clinical care and would never be allowed to work in their own clothes. Official uniform or scrubs provided by the trust.

What setting is she in? Acute Hospital? Community hospital? Primary care?......