Dear Editor,
It baffles me that in 2025, nurses at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center are still required to wear white uniforms. This feels like an outdated practice that does not reflect the realities of modern healthcare.
While white may look “clean” and “neat” in theory, in practice it is one of the least practical colours for those working in that profession. White uniforms get dirty easily, and in a hospital setting, this is unavoidable. Stains and spills show immediately, which not only creates discomfort for the nurses but can also give patients the wrong impression of cleanliness.
Beyond appearance, the maintenance of white clothing is burdensome. White fabrics fade quickly, lose their crispness, and become difficult to restore after multiple washes and clothing bleaching. This often forces nurses to spend money repeatedly on new uniforms, which, is an unnecessary cost for a profession already under strain. A darker, more practical colour would not only last longer but would also reduce the pressure on nurses to constantly maintain an unrealistic standard of professionalism.
I am also aware that nurses are given a uniform allowance. However, this does not address the fundamental issue. If uniforms need to be replaced frequently because they cannot be properly maintained, then that allowance becomes wasted money. It would be far more effective to allow nurses the choice of wearing coloured scrubs or uniforms that are easier to clean, more durable, and more cost efficient in the long term.
What makes this issue even more concerning is that nurses themselves have raised these concerns before. Requests have been made for a transition to coloured scrubs, yet the administration continues to resist, holding on to outdated standards. This unwillingness to adapt to modern times does not serve our healthcare workers well, and it is something that deserves to be highlighted and advocated for.
In many parts of the world, nursing attire has evolved to meet both practical and professional needs. Colours like navy blue, burgundy, or even patterned scrubs are widely accepted and provide a modern, hygienic, and cost effective alternative to the outdated traditional white.
It is time enough that Antigua moves forward with the rest of the world. Our nurses deserve uniforms that are both practical and professional, not attire that adds unnecessary stress to an already demanding job.
Thank you.
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I fully agreed. Lots of medical uniform out there beside the white
This is a great topic.. it is very instutionalised mentality. PM is well traveled and I know he know this is outdated but refuse to do anything about it because it’s all about controlling staff. I work in the UK in a hospital setting and white is not a colour we use.. please get rid of this mentality and change the colour get rid of white tights and white shoes..
Forget the color why are the uniforms so tight? Find it quite unprofessional.
Who the heck cares and why don’t the nurses bargain for it when their collective agreement is due for renewal?
Forget about the white uniforms… Pay the nurses a proper salary so they don’t have to work 2-3 jobs to get by.
Nurses used to be pure in heart and pure in spirit
By all means stop defining white, it’s not as if there is no hydrogen peroxide. Mandate that nurses where dark brown cause many of them are indeed dark.
Most are female and with some independence because of their intellectual standing and earningpotential, many of these females are delilahs (crafty & botheration).
In my view the white uniform should continue to be worn. White symbolizes cleanliness and purity and it also positively enhances the surroundings thus giving a therapeutic effect to the patient.
Instead, the nurses should get additional white uniforms to compensate for their wear & tear.