What do the Different NHS Uniform Colours Represent?

Various coloured scrubs are commonly worn in the NHS to indicate certain roles and positions in healthcare. Not only does this form a universal identity for the healthcare sector in the UK, but it plays a large part in branding and forming relationships with the public. 

Knowing what each colour represents helps patients and other staff members efficiently identify and locate the person they need. This increases confidence and trust for healthcare workers and patients alike.

At Greenbergs, we have compiled a list of the scrub colours and roles accompanying them to help you differentiate between each one. If you work in healthcare, we offer a range of high-quality uniforms for NHS staff and dentists at affordable prices. 

The significance of uniform colours in the NHS

The implementation of various NHS uniform colours extends beyond mere aesthetics. In the 1960s to ’70s, colour coding in healthcare was first used to identify different departments. 

In the 1990s, the colour palette expanded as the NHS became more specialised. Today, the NHS has a more complex uniform system, focusing on ease of identification, patient trust, infection control, and professional appearance. 

The colours for each role have been designed for specific purposes. For example, theatre staff wear green or blue scrubs, which are less likely to show bloodstains and are soothing to look at during long procedures.

Uniform colours represent the hierarchy in the NHS to ensure protocols are properly maintained. This reinforces a sense of duty and pride in the role and helps staff monitor the standards of practice each person offers to their role. 

While different uniforms indicate different roles, all staff members are required to wear them to promote equality and unity. Having a uniform policy promotes professionalism, improves organisation, and raises team morale. 

Certain colours, like red, are used to ensure faster response times in critical situations. When an NHS staff member is wearing red, patients or other staff members can quickly locate them for rapid intervention, improving emergency care.

The psychological impact of colours

Colour psychology has a large impact on how people perceive others and the world around them. When this is applied to the healthcare system, certain colours can affect emotions, influence behaviour, and even impact patients’ recovery.

For example, blue is prominent within the NHS as it is often associated with trust and professionalism and has a calming, soothing effect on patients. Its ability to lower stress levels works well for healthcare staff, helping to reduce patient anxiety in high-stress situations.

Colours like green and white are also prevalent in healthcare facilities, as they produce the same calming effect. White is often associated with cleanliness and purity, while green is one of the most natural, soothing colours due to its prevalence in nature. It often represents healing and balance and helps to reduce eye strain for surgical teams.

 

Decoding the NHS colour palette

With so many different colours and roles in the NHS, it can be difficult to distinguish between their meanings. 

Knowing what each colour represents not only helps patients identify different staff members but also helps various NHS professionals quickly identify one another’s roles in the workplace. 

The new 2023 NHS uniform colours have recently been updated to the following: 

Traditional NHS job colourways

Job title	Main colour	Trim colour
Students	Cloud blue	Navy
HCA or support worker	Lilac	Navy
Nursing associate	Sky blue	Sky blue
Nurse	Hospital blue	Navy
Midwife	Postman blue	Navy
Team leader	Navy	Dark red
Matron	Purple	Navy
Nursing practitioner	Royal blue	Navy
Advanced practitioner	Dark red	Navy
Healthcare science practitioner	Eau-de-nil	Navy
Healthcare science scientist	Peacock	Navy
Pharmacy technician	Sherwood green	Navy
Pharmacist	Bottle green	Navy
Head of the department	Black	Red

Allied health professionals colourways 

Job title	Main colour	Trim colour
Physiotherapist	White	Navy
Occupational Therapist	White	Bottle green
Prosthetist Orthotist	White	Hospital blue
Dietician	Ruby	Hospital blue
Speech and Language Therapist	Ruby	Postman blue
Orthoptics	Ruby	Black
Osteopath	Ruby	Cloud blue
Operating Department Practitioner	Ruby	Sky blue
Music, Art and Drama Therapist	Ruby	Sherwood green
Podiatry	Ruby	Royal blue
Diagnostic Radiographer	Ruby	Eau-de-nil
Therapeutic Radiographer	Ruby	White

The role of uniforms in patient experience

Some colour choices are designed to enhance approachability, in addition to helping people identify healthcare workers. 

The design of NHS uniforms is based greatly on how the public perceives them and how easy they are to clean and identify within the workplace.

Trust and confidence

Colours such as white and green are seen as less intimidating, encouraging patients to talk more openly and freely with the staff. This can make the patient's journey go more smoothly and create a more controlled environment for the staff.

However, lighter colours don’t always soothe patients. Darker colours like navy and black are used for senior staff and nurses, so these colours can make patients feel reassured that they’re being cared for by a knowledgeable professional.

Reducing anxiety

Hospitals can be scary places, so calming colours like light blue, green, and purple can soothe patients, provide comfort, and aid recovery. For this reason, child nurses often wear lighter colours, like green or pink, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. 

Additionally, a consistent uniform policy helps create a secure patient environment; apart from Scotland, the uniforms for the NHS are the same throughout the country. Knowing that verified staff members are caring for patients can alleviate anxiety, especially in emergency or high-stress situations.

Improving patient-staff communication

A standardised uniform system allows patients to quickly identify the right professional for their needs. This can help patients identify the right staff they need, preventing frustration and confusion. 

For staff members, this system can help colleagues differentiate roles to improve teamwork, especially in busy environments. However, the uniform can vary slightly between different NHS trusts, so the uniform for each role may not be identical across every institution. 

NHS uniforms in Scotland

In Scotland, the uniform colours for their NHS staff differ from those employed by the UK.

This can get confusing if you don’t understand the differences between the two. Below is a list of all the main NHS roles and their uniform colours in Scotland. 

• Lead nurses: Smoked berry burgundy 
• Allied health professionals ( dieticians, physiotherapists, and podiatrists): Mediterranean blue 
• Registered nurses/midwives: Cornflower blue 
• Nursing/midwifery AHP students: Silver grey
• Senior charge nurse: Navy blue 
• Healthcare science professionals: Ocean blue
• Catering and domestic supervisors: Dark green
• Clinical support staff: Pale sky blue
• Non-clinical staff (catering and domestic staff, porters, estates, admin & clerical): Mid green 

Choose Greenberg's for your NHS uniform

At Greenberg's, we devote a lot of time and dedication to creating the best uniform for our NHS workers. 

With comfort, style, and policy in mind, all our scrubs are manufactured by reputable brands and sold at an affordable cost. All of our uniforms meet NHS specifications, ensuring you remain comfortable and compliant with the dress code. 

Enjoy breathable, durable fabrics ideal for long shifts and a range of sizes. Browse our healthcare range today for a durable uniform. For more information, contact us. We’re always happy to help!