AS part of a regional initiative, Northern Trust has unveiled new colour coded nurses uniforms which will help members of the public know who they are interacting with in healthcare settings.

The new uniforms will see traditional starched whites making way for loose-fitting tops and trousers in the new colours that will be worn by nursing staff.

Phase one of the regional uniform project was being rolled out across Northern Ireland from September 5 and followed the work of a Steering Group which was set up to look at standardising uniforms across all health and social care staff in Northern Ireland due to the differing colour, design and provision of uniforms.

Mrs Olive Macleod, Director of Nursing and User Experience in the Northern Trust said: "When members of the public enter health and care settings across the Northern Trust they will now see our staff wearing new uniforms.

"The aim of the project was the standardisation of a higher quality uniform and work wear across all staff groups working in health and social care. This will ensure that members of the public know who they are speaking to as each uniform is clearly marked with the title ward sister/charge nurse, nurse, registered nurse, registered midwife or healthcare support worker. It will also promote a professional image of the service and of the individual health and social care worker.

"This is a simple yet effective way to help patients identify who is in charge on a ward as soon as they enter our facilities".