Investigation into 'scruffy' doctors (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Investigation into 'scruffy' doctors

9:00am Sunday 21st October 2012 in News

THE chief executive of Colchester’s two NHS hospitals has called for an investigation into clothing worn by junior doctors.

The probe comes after the Gazette revealed concerns had been raised over young medics wearing attire deemed inappropriate - including jeans with holes in.

Members of the hospitals’ Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) flagged up their concerns following inspections and relayed them to a panel.

The panel, responsible for patient care and assurance, raised the matter in a report given to hospital chiefs and governors on Thursday.

Andy Patrick, a lead governor who wrote the report, had said it was feared some of the junior doctors’ dress would make elderly patients anxious.

Gordon Coutts, chief executive of the trust running Colchester General Hospital and Essex County Hospital, told the meeting he would be pursuing the matter further.

He admitted: “Some appear very smart and some look less smart than we would like them to.

“Without a specific dress code it has allowed it to become a bit fluid.

“One of the benefits of uniform is to have a standard appearance and people are immediately recognised as to what their role is.

“One of the down sides of wearing your own clothes is people are not always aware you are a doctor apart from the stethoscope.”