Embarrassing hospital gowns which expose patients’ backsides are set to become a thing of the past – after these new ‘modesty’ robes were launched at a British hospital.
Patients have complained for years that the traditional garments – which tie up at the rear – are undignified and leave their bottoms visible as they walk around wards.
But now North Bristol NHS Trust has introduced wraparound gowns which tie up at the sides and protect the modesty of the wearer.
Carol de Halle, Acting Director of Nursing, said: ”Traditional hospital gowns have been the butt of many a joke over the years.
”Anyone who has been in hospital and worn one of them knows just how embarrassing and undignified they can be.
”These new gowns are much better, and we are very much looking forward to rolling them out across our organisation.
”North Bristol NHS Trust is committed to improving our patients’ privacy and dignity and the new gowns will make a big difference.”
The trust has ordered 1,000 of the gowns – made by Cromptons Healthcare – and say feedback from staff and patients have been positive.
A spokesman for North Bristol NHS Trust said: ”We have recently bought about 1,000 new gowns and are very excited about our patients using them.
”Although we have 1,000 gowns we will have to wait until the old gowns are no longer usable before being able to provide all patients with one.”
The Patients Association welcomed the new gowns and said they will be an instant hit with the public.
Director Katherine Murphy said: ”Very often when people are admitted to hospital they don’t have enough time to bring some pajamas or a dressing gown with them and are instead forced to wear hospital gowns.
”The old gowns don’t do anything for people’s dignity so these new gowns will go a long way to overcome this issue.
”It’s extremely hard for patients to not get emabarrased when they are walking around in a hospital.
”Many patients will be wheeling a drip with them and will find it hard to keep the back of their gowns closed while wheeling a trolley with them.
”I think the new gowns will help people feel more comfortable and feel like they have their dignity back.
”I don’t know who designed those old gowns, but they were really bad. I hope all hospitals will start using these wrap around gowns as soon as possible.”
The Department of Health said several trusts are experimenting with different designs of wraparound gowns.
Cromptons Healthcare declined to comment.
