As previously communicated, sizing events were held last summer to support the transition to our new national uniform colourways. This approach is to ensure alignment with Derbyshire partners and to enable patients and service users to experience a consistent and professional appearance across clinical groups, both within Derbyshire and nationally.
Orders for the new uniforms were placed in August, and we are now preparing to receive uniforms for over 2,800 colleagues who participated in the sizing programme.
This is a significant logistical undertaking. Deliveries to our larger sites will commence from 2 March, where stock will either be retained for local distribution or transferred onwards via our Logistics and IFM colleagues.
Clinical colleagues will be contacted by their local administrative teams when their uniforms are ready for collection.
We recognise that, given the scale of this programme, there will inevitably be changes in requirements (e.g. size amendments, new starters, leavers, role changes, maternity needs). To ensure an orderly rollout, the following phased approach will apply:
- From 2 March: Deliveries will begin arriving at larger sites. Local administrators will contact staff once uniforms are ready for collection
- From 16 March: Queries or requests for size exchanges from colleagues who were in post during the original ordering period can be submitted via local administration teams
- From 24 March: Requests for uniforms for colleagues who joined after August 2025 will be processed through local administrators, using buffer stock held centrally.
This programme requires extensive coordination between operational administration, IFM, and logistic team colleagues across the county. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we implement this change.
A new process for placing additional orders (where buffer stock does not meet demand) is being developed and will be communicated in due course.
We are also reviewing options for the return and, where appropriate, recycling of our existing uniforms - further information will follow.
The intention is for clinical colleagues to begin wearing the new uniforms from 1 May.
Thank you for your support in delivering this important initiative.