ONCE again MRSA is in the news and a complete clean of our local hospital is in the pipeline.

My question is - can anyone in authority at the Royal issue a statement as to whether uniforms/overalls can carry bugs or not?

Many years ago the only department at the old BRI that insisted staff changed from outdoor attire into overalls was the catering.

Ninety five of the catering staff adhered to this, possibly because of infection/contamination via food.

However, we see nurses, cleaners, care assistants throughout the town shopping in the local supermarket walking the dog, etc, in their uniforms.

At BRI I even remember theatre staff in their "greens" still wearing headgear and the face mask slung around their necks, dining in the canteen.

I know of staff who never seem to be out of their overalls, they wear them for shopping, travelling on public transport, doing their own housework, walking the dog (where is the poop scoop kept? When these NHS staff are out with their dogs wearing their uniforms).

I find the wearing of overalls/uniforms outside the hospital environment a matter for concern. Unless someone can confirm the practice of wearing hospital attire all day for whatever pastime threatens no risk whatsoever in regard to MRSA.

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