A UK hospital trust's decision to give nurses 'Do Not Disturb' uniforms to wear during routine ward duties to prevent patients from speaking to them, has sparked controversy
A UK hospital trust's decision to give nurses 'Do Not Disturb' uniforms to wear during routine ward duties to prevent patients from speaking to them, has sparked controversy
The bright red tabards will hold the message: "Do Not Disturb. Drug Round in Progress", and during that time patients will be expected to address any concerns to care assistants, who do not have clinical qualifications.
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The move came after complaints against patients emerged that they ask meaningless questions about toilets and meal times, and thus stopping nurses from doing their jobs properly.
However, Joyce Robins, from campaign group Patient Concern, described the initiative as "grotesque and ridiculous".
"If you're a nurse and you can't do more than one thing at a time, you're a pretty hopeless nurse. It sends patients completely the wrong message," the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.
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"They already see nurses as too important to disturb or too lazy to help and you're very vulnerable lying there in a hospital bed when your buzzer doesn't work and no one comes.
"Often the drug round is the only time you see a nurse to talk to them. Now these red tabards will send out a further 'get off me' signal.
"It's grotesque and ridiculous," she added.
The trial was first successfully made at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, and now, the uniforms are being introduced for staff nurses and matrons in hospitals across the country.
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