Ooh, matron! New uniforms on the way for naval nurses

[Anth]

For more than 120 years naval nurses have been wearing long cloaked uniforms. The style dates back to the founding of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Hospital, and the 19th Century fashion statement has been attracting admiring glances ever since.

Uniform look; a fond farewell to the starched collars
[Picture: MOD]

But from June, women nurses will abandon their lady-with-the-lamp look in favour of a new unisex style based on the standard NHS tunic and trousers.

They will retain a few military details. Ranks and services will be distinguished by coloured piping and the colour of trousers.

A major incentive for the changes has been the spiralling costs of the traditional uniform and the difficulties of keeping it spruce. Starching a set of cuffs can cost £20.

"I never thought I’d hear myself saying this, but I will be sorry to see it go," said Haslar-based Leading Nurse Vicki Twentyman.
"I didn’t like the old uniform much at first. I found it really uncomfortable, especially the starched collars. It took about six months to learn how to fold the head-dress properly.

"If you’re not careful you can get it snagged on the screens round the beds, which is a nuisance, although it does tend to cheer the patients up. But you do seem to have more pride when you put it on, and patients and their relatives all comment on how nice it looks."

For Sue Pyke, secretary of the QARRNS ratings association, who now works for the NHS at Haslar but was a Royal Navy nurse in the 70’s, the passing of the uniform will be a sad moment.

"It’s a lovely uniform, incredibly comfortable with plenty of room, and the removable apron is really good for protection against spills."

There is, however, a ray of hope for those who cannot bear the thought of the old uniforms going for ever. Some traditional uniforms will be retained to be worn on ceremonial occasions. That means that Navy nurses will continue to enjoy the challenge of folding those head-dresses.

This story first appeared in Focus, the newspaper for people in defence

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