Who you might meet
If you come into hospital it can sometimes feel a bit like an alien environment. You're lying in a hospital bed wondering what's going to happen next. Who are these people who keep coming and going on the ward. It can be very confusing, we want to show you what some of the uniforms mean, who the staff are and the sorts of things they do.
Matron Clinical Nurse Specialist Sister Senior Staff Nurse Staff Nurse
Clinical Support Ward clerk Ward Assistant Volunteer Domestic Worker
Matron
Matrons wear a purple uniform. They manage a number of wards, working closely with ward managers on the standards of care and the ward environment. They are responsible for cleanliness and infection control. If someone raises a concern about the quality of care they receive, it’s the matrons who make sure that actions are taken to put things right. Matrons try to spend time with patients wherever they can to ensure we can constantly improve our performance. (top)
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Our clinical nurse specialist's wear a grey uniform. They are registered nurses who have advanced nursing knowledge, skill and experience (which is supported by an academic post-registeration qualification. The key aspects of the role include clinical care, education, research and management. They use their work with patients and other clinical staff to devise better care procedures. (top)
Sister/Ward Manager
The sister (or ward manager) runs the ward on a day to day basis and reports directly to the Matron, they wear a dark blue uniform. Being the sister is a mixture of clinical care - directing activities of the team on the ward to ensuring all patients receive the clinical care required - and being a role model, demonstrating to staff what is expected professionally, and being responsible for all aspects of the ward. There is also an element of having to manage resources.
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Senior Staff Nurse
Our senior staff nurses wear a teal uniform. They are qualified healthcare professionals who are highly experienced nurses. They work alongside our staff nurses and may perform some of the same duties. (top)
Staff Nurse
Our staff nurses wear a light blue uniform. A nurse is a qualified healthcare professional responsible for treatment, safety, and recovery of acutely or chronically ill patients. They promote health across the ward and perform a wide range of clinical and non-clinical functions necessary to the delivery of health care. They can also be involved in medical and nursing research. (top)
Clinical Support Worker
Our Clinical support workers wear lilac uniforms. They work with nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals, helping with care and looking after patients' comfort and well-being.(top)
Ward clerk
Our ward clerks work under the guidance, supervision and instruction of the Ward Manager and other qualified staff on a hospital ward. They are often seen carrying out administrative duties on the ward, especially at the nurses station. (top)
Ward Assistant
Our ward assistants wear a mustard coloured uniform. They provide drinks to patients in the morning and afternoon. Ward assistants also help patients chose their meals from the menu, order the meals and serve them to patients. (top)
Volunteer
Our volunteers wear a yellow uniform. Volunteers do a fantastic job in the Trust and their efforts are greatly apprciated by all staff. We now have over 100 volunteers working in a huge variety of areas. (top)
Domestic
Our domestic staff wear light green uniforms. They work in wards and and other areas of a hospital as part of the cleaning team to help the hospital prevent the spread of infections. They tend to have a lot of contact with patients and their visitors.(top)