Health and care providers in the private sector offer many of the same services that the NHS provide. Concentrating on those areas where the NHS is weakest, out in the community, private care providers are the unseen and unlauded backbone supporting the NHS and the sick and elderly in our communities.
Perception of professionalism of private healthcare providers
For some, the perception of private care providers, the individuals giving the care, is that they are in some way less professional than the state employed NHS staff. This is simply not true. For all jobs/functions, the training and qualification requirements are the same whether the provider is operating in the public or the private sector.
However, perceptions are difficult to overcome, and private healthcare providers are looking for effective ways to address the perceived shortcomings in employee standing with their clients.
Seeing a smartly dressed, well-presented care provider walking into a room can provide an excellent first impression. And we all know how much first impressions matter. An elderly person, possibly with poor eyesight, sees a smartly uniformed care provider walking up to them. Because of the first impression that the uniform gives that person may as well be the sister/matron/senior nurse on the ward of the hospital they visited decades ago. A uniform can help to establish the basis of the professional relationship for the future.
Why uniforms for care workers are so effective
Donning a uniform, almost without exception and in most walks of life, is about more than the garments you put on. It is about the organisational ethos, personal professionalism and the expectations wearing the uniform brings with it.
The impact of the uniform isn't limited to people who see the uniform wearer. Although it is especially effective when dealing with the elderly and with anyone dependent on others for their care and support. A health or care worker, can also change their attitude and behaviour and, generally, report feeling more professional and more valued when wearing a uniform.
The obvious exception that many would cite, is the school uniform. The school uniform can fail to work in the same way. But the failure only comes, for schools and children, where the ethos and approach to the wearing of uniforms and the behaviour expectations are not truly in line with each other.
We have all seen youngsters in uniform looking and behaving like a complete rabble. At the other end of the scale, we have seen youngsters walk through the town, looking unbelievably smart and behaving like angels. It is down to the setting of the ethos and expectations and the feeling of pride that comes from wearing a uniform you respect.
Popular uniform options for healthcare and care workers
The uniform your organisation adopts will be flexible enough to cater for all of the roles your staff perform. Looking smart and giving a great impression is important but the work clothing you provide needs to be highly functional too. So garments such as aprons, tabards, tunics, shirts/blouses and trousers all feature on the commonly purchased items list.
Read more, if you are looking for more information on the uniform options Actifwear provides, and/or the decoration/personalisation options. Or, if talking to a real human being is your thing, call our team on 01858 461686 during business hours.
