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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

Now it is offensive to have male and female uniforms in the NHS

91 replies

SecretShambles · 27/09/2023 19:43

NHS unveils first 'national uniform' - here's what the colours mean https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12566251/NHS-unveils-national-uniform-bosses-ditch-traditional-male-female-sizes-heres-TWENTY-SEVEN-different-coloured-scrubs-mean.html?ito=native_share_article-top

Despite the fact that male and female bodies are different, every uniformed NHS worker will have to wear a unisex uniform from now on in case of offending the easily offended.

I'm fat but I'm not offended by seeing size 8 clothes on the rail when I go shopping so I'm not sure why having a male body but not identifying as a man and seeing male and female clothing is so very wrong?

NHS unveils first 'national uniform' - here's what the colours mean

Twenty-seven different coloured scrubs are to be rolled out in England to represent different roles, including midwives, dieticians, podiatrists, matrons and students.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12566251/NHS-unveils-national-uniform-bosses-ditch-traditional-male-female-sizes-heres-TWENTY-SEVEN-different-coloured-scrubs-mean.html?ito=native_share_article-top

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LoobiJee · 27/09/2023 19:47

I saw that and wondered if the sizing system takes any account of female body shape.

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feelingcrapaboutlife · 27/09/2023 19:49

We already wear scrubs. They don't do separate mail female ones, or even separate colours. This is old news.

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Buffyj · 27/09/2023 19:53

It's been like this in NHS Scotland for ages. It doesn't appear to have caused any problems.

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SecretShambles · 27/09/2023 19:55

Buffyj · 27/09/2023 19:53

It's been like this in NHS Scotland for ages. It doesn't appear to have caused any problems.

I'm sure it's being done for extra woke cred then as the article mentions enabling everyone to be their true self etc

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/09/2023 19:55

Bloody norah , as if the NHS has money to spare !

How much will this all cost ?
In what way do they think this is going to help patients and other staff indentify an HCP . Unless (and this might be too much like a Good Idea ) we have our job titles in large letters across our backs (I think some Paramedics have this ?)

Personally I don't mind if they are non specific . I wear a mans scrub top because of the lack of shaping . The scrub tousers are M/F

I'm just a bit nope at the colourway my profession has been allocated .

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SecretShambles · 27/09/2023 19:56

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/09/2023 19:55

Bloody norah , as if the NHS has money to spare !

How much will this all cost ?
In what way do they think this is going to help patients and other staff indentify an HCP . Unless (and this might be too much like a Good Idea ) we have our job titles in large letters across our backs (I think some Paramedics have this ?)

Personally I don't mind if they are non specific . I wear a mans scrub top because of the lack of shaping . The scrub tousers are M/F

I'm just a bit nope at the colourway my profession has been allocated .

What colour would that be?

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PermanentTemporary · 27/09/2023 19:57

Provided they have a decent range of sizes, this is a non-issue. Clothing has meaning but the meaning of this stuff is my recognisable professional role. I don't believe what I wear has any impact on my sex so why would I care about this?

And starting 'Now...' makes this sound like those dumb arse Daily Mail headlines that imply we should all be constantly complaining.

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PermanentTemporary · 27/09/2023 19:57

Oh, I see it's a Mail link. Quelle surprise.

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Eloradannin2nd · 27/09/2023 19:57

Wales NHS have had these uniforms for over 10 years. Unisex scrub type uniforms. It’s not new news and definitely not ‘woke’

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GoodOldEmmaNess · 27/09/2023 19:58

I don't see any problem with this, provided that there are sensible size options for both men's and women's bodies that don't disadvantage either sex (in the manner that women in many industries have often been disadvantaged by PPE geared towards male sizes.

Unisex clothing cuts out the ability of men to letch over stereotypical 'nurses uniforms' that play to old-style differentiation between men's and women's professional clothing. And they begin to erase the very norms of 'gender-based presentation that so-called gender identity is founded on. So, all good.

Don't think I will grasp the 27 colour code very quickly, though!

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PermanentTemporary · 27/09/2023 19:58

It is much more efficient to have e national guidelines and purchasing for this stuff. In fact lots of rightwingers complain that the NHS doesn't do enough national purchasing.

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Ilefttownonsaturday · 27/09/2023 20:03

No wonder the NHS is struggling financially and going down a sinkhole. This is obviously a good use of tax payers money...... Not

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Buffyj · 27/09/2023 20:03

Not woke cred, just standardised uniforms. Non issue.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/09/2023 20:04

SecretShambles · 27/09/2023 19:56

What colour would that be?

Show quote history

It's one of the ruby ones but I see there are different blue trims - sky blue, postman blue , royal blue, navy blue , hospital blue ........so very easy to tell apaty <not>

And if they're being all inclusive and non-sex defining ............ why PostMAN Blue .
?

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sleepyscientist · 27/09/2023 20:05

Old news scrubs are unisex, this will cost a fortune considering a lot of staff buy their own currently.

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PermanentTemporary · 27/09/2023 20:05

@Ilefttownonsaturday washable scrubs improve infection control, and infections are expensive. National purchasing reduces costs - enormously. Try as hard as you like, this is a completely reasonable plan.

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FutureMandosWife · 27/09/2023 20:12

NHS Scotland everyone wears that already. The only gender specific I can think of would be the maternity scrub you can get.

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therealcookiemonster · 27/09/2023 20:13

this is nothing new. but no option for doctors. a lot of us wear scrubs. what are we supposed to do?

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SirChenjins · 27/09/2023 20:17

This isn’t anything new in most parts of the UK - we’ve had unisex uniforms for many years.

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SauvignonBlanche · 27/09/2023 20:19

There is an anticipated 30% cost saving according to the NHS supply chain.
I can see why people feel like the OP about the unisex only sizing but I can see how it may lessen the euphoria some Trans identifying males currently experience in wearing their female uniform.

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cushioncovers · 27/09/2023 20:22

LoobiJee · 27/09/2023 19:47

I saw that and wondered if the sizing system takes any account of female body shape.

They used to but made them unisex a few years back. They are a dreadful fit if you have curves as they do not take into count hips or bums. I'm referring to scrubs not sure about the blouses/tops that admin staff wear.

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FannyFifer · 27/09/2023 20:33

We've worn unisex uniforms in NHS Scotland since around 2010.
Much more professional & patients know who everyone is.

www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/publications/Bulletin200911Uniform.pdf

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FixTheBone · 27/09/2023 20:36

So, no scrubs for doctors...

They can fuck right off before they've even started.

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StarlightGin · 27/09/2023 20:40

SecretShambles · 27/09/2023 19:55

I'm sure it's being done for extra woke cred then as the article mentions enabling everyone to be their true self etc

Show quote history

What if you can only be your true self whilst wearing a tutu and a feather boa?
They just don't think these things through, do they?

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Goodornot · 27/09/2023 20:43

What about the women who like wearing the dresses? The nurses on my mums ward looked great in them. Given that there is a choice of top and trousers and they are in a dress, they clearly want to wear one. Why remove that choice they look so smart.

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