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Velcro suits could replace hospital gowns Velcro suits could replace hospital gowns
(6 months later)
A new Velcro suit for hospital patients could spell the beginning of the end of the traditional backless gown, according to its designers.A new Velcro suit for hospital patients could spell the beginning of the end of the traditional backless gown, according to its designers.
Health chiefs at Birmingham children's hospital have unveiled the suits being used on some of its wards.Health chiefs at Birmingham children's hospital have unveiled the suits being used on some of its wards.
The Dignity Giving Suits for patients are the first of their type to be used in British hospitals. They have been universally welcomed by the hospital's doctors, surgeons, nurses and also patients, who have been trialling them.The Dignity Giving Suits for patients are the first of their type to be used in British hospitals. They have been universally welcomed by the hospital's doctors, surgeons, nurses and also patients, who have been trialling them.
The wraparound suits, designed and made by a UK company, have Velcro button fastenings along the seams, doing away with the flimsy tie-backs of the traditional backless gowns.The wraparound suits, designed and made by a UK company, have Velcro button fastenings along the seams, doing away with the flimsy tie-backs of the traditional backless gowns.
Chief nurse Michelle McLoughlin said she had wanted young patients to feel "protected, safe and secure", and the old gowns were failing to do that, so hospital chiefs authorised a replacement.Chief nurse Michelle McLoughlin said she had wanted young patients to feel "protected, safe and secure", and the old gowns were failing to do that, so hospital chiefs authorised a replacement.
When it became clear there was no off-the-shelf solution, they started from scratch, she said. The process from idea to manufacture took 18 months.When it became clear there was no off-the-shelf solution, they started from scratch, she said. The process from idea to manufacture took 18 months.
McLoughlin said the suits were proving so popular children have been asking to take them home while parents have been bemoaning the fact they are only available to children.McLoughlin said the suits were proving so popular children have been asking to take them home while parents have been bemoaning the fact they are only available to children.
The hospital's stock of 2,000 gowns will be replaced by May, and there are plans for adult sizes. They will come in different colours and patterns, other than the standard dark blue.The hospital's stock of 2,000 gowns will be replaced by May, and there are plans for adult sizes. They will come in different colours and patterns, other than the standard dark blue.
Patient Adam Payne, eight, said:Patient Adam Payne, eight, said:
"The new suits are easy to get on and off, they're better, and they don't itch.""The new suits are easy to get on and off, they're better, and they don't itch."
Bev Ward, managing director of Fashion At Work, which makes the suits, said the old gowns were "hideous, transparent and cold" while their replacements were "warm, durable and stylish".Bev Ward, managing director of Fashion At Work, which makes the suits, said the old gowns were "hideous, transparent and cold" while their replacements were "warm, durable and stylish".
"We wanted to satisfy a diverse clinical need while challenging the utilitarian NHS style to give children something fashionable to wear," she said."We wanted to satisfy a diverse clinical need while challenging the utilitarian NHS style to give children something fashionable to wear," she said.
She hopes the suits, made of 67% polyester and 33% cotton - similar to the material used for nurse's uniforms - will "revolutionise" attitudes to designing clinical-wear.She hopes the suits, made of 67% polyester and 33% cotton - similar to the material used for nurse's uniforms - will "revolutionise" attitudes to designing clinical-wear.
Ms Ward believes the suits will also be welcomed by adult patients, and particularly the elderly, who can struggle with the fiddly ties on the backless gowns.Ms Ward believes the suits will also be welcomed by adult patients, and particularly the elderly, who can struggle with the fiddly ties on the backless gowns.
She is in talks with health bosses at Great Ormond Street Hospital and in Nottinghamshire over introducing the new suits there.She is in talks with health bosses at Great Ormond Street Hospital and in Nottinghamshire over introducing the new suits there.
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