An NHS hospital trust will be spending up to £180,000 on new uniforms for nurses despite claims by staff that they need a range of life-saving equipment.
University College London Hospital has approved funding for the new uniforms, which will see all nurses wearing standardised tunics and scrub-style clothes in a bid to help patients understand their roles.
But an insider has claimed the same hospital wards are also in need of equipment including ECG machines to monitor heart rhythm, mattresses to reduce pressure on patients and better thermometers.
The Trust say the new uniforms are necessary, in order that their staff are “consistent across the organisation” and prevent patients being confused over who they are.
A spokesman, who confirmed they would be buying up to four new tunics for 2,500 staff members at a cost of £18 each, added that this in turn would “make patients feel safe”.