Hospital introduces disposable head coverings for theatre staff

Medway NHS Foundation Trust has introduced new disposable head coverings for staff within its operating theatres, helping to improve safe practice and inclusivity for colleagues.

Thanks to this new initiative, head coverings are now routinely available at Medway Maritime Hospital in a disposable format, adding to the standard operating theatres hat.

Jane said: “In the theatres department we proudly represent the values of the organisation, including working together and making sure every person counts. We think this is a clear example of the inclusivity we strive to promote within the team, and more widely across the hospital.

“Theatres staff have welcomed the initiative and we have received fantastic feedback from some our new surgical doctors, who celebrated that we had disposable head covers as an option at Medway.

“They are cost effective, promote safe practice within the operating environment, and importantly, allow our diverse colleagues to represent their faith and cultures while at work. The new head covering is also a great option for theatre work wear, as in addition to religious and cultural reasons, it is suitable for staff with textured, natural or long hair that can be difficult to cover with a standard theatre hat.”

Jayne Black, Chief Executive, said: “We are proud of the diverse workforce that represents our Trust and the wider NHS, and we are delighted to be supporting colleagues in this way. This is the latest positive step to making Medway a more inclusive place to work, particularly for our staff within theatres, and we hope it will have a significant impact.”