North West Ambulance Service bans novelty socks

[mateykatie]

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/02/04/north-west-ambulance-service-bans-novel ty-socks-100252-25758693/

MERSEYSIDE paramedics are to be banned from wearing novelty socks.

North West Ambulance Service will stop all uniformed staff from wearing socks decorated with cartoon characters, jokes and garish patterns because bosses say they are unprofessional.

It is part of a new dress code policy that bans wrist watches, visible body piercing, excessive make up and certain tattoos.

Staff could face disciplinary action if they fail to follow the code.

er good novelty socks are naff

is the wrist watch thing for hygiene reasons?

I have been in an ambulance five times (legitimately, honest) and cannot recall ever noticing what any of the crew were wearing. Although dh did nearly sell our house to one of them (well, it was very convenient for the hospital...).

Banning novelty socks, that will definitely improve reaction times and increase the level of care. FFS

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Oh how stupid!
I do wonder about the idiocy of some rules.

Well you know when I need a paramedic the first thing on my mind is what sort of socks they have on!

This is almost straight out of the Framley Examiner

Brilliant.

I hope they will be banning novelty underwear too. Heaven knows, it is scary enough having to call an ambulance, without the fear that the paramedic may have on Simpsons boxer shorts, or mickey mouse y-fronts!!!

On a serious note, I imagine that the wristwatch ban is on hygiene grounds, as they could harbour bacteria, as could piercings (though if they are not visible when the paramedic is dressed, I can't see how they'd be a problem). Visible piercings, especially facial ones could be a bit intimidating for older patients, and more seriously, could be grabbed by drunk or aggressive patients and ripped out.

I would have thought that the vast majority of tattoos would not be visible when the paramedic was dressed, so can't see this being a huge problem. Excessive makeup - could possibly be a hygiene issue, and doesn't look nice, but shouldn't impact on the quality of service offered.

Actually I do feel for the crews. Being bossed around by some jumped up chimp who thinks getting a bigger desk allows them to impose their personal prejudices on all and sundry can't be much fun.

Unless it's one of those company rules where everyone knows it's actually aimed at Tony in accounts who thinks he's the office joker but in reality is an object of derision...

I work in the NHS and we have the same uniform policy ie socks have to be black with no patterns on them. You cannot see our socks because of baggy nurses trousers and black flat old fashioned shoes.

We have on the spot uniform checks and matron will ask to see our socks. I have really smelly feet so try and waft the smell up to her nose.

I also work for the NHS and get my socks checked to make sure they are plain black, its ridiculous.

No wrist watches makes sense though.

it'll be no frivolous underpants next LOL