999 staff hit with ban on novelty socks
PARAMEDICS have been banned from wearing "novelty" socks because health bosses think it is unprofessional.
Staff at North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) have been told they can no longer wear socks decorated with cartoon characters, jokes and garish patterns.
The move is part of a new dress code policy that bans wrist watches, visible body piercing, excessive make-up and certain tattoos.
A uniform and protective clothing are provided by the service for frontline members of staff. The allocated uniform includes "plain, dark-coloured" socks and specifically indicates "no novelty socks to be worn when visible to the public". Staff could face disciplinary action if they fail to follow the code.
Jonathan Fox, spokesman for the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel, said: "I am a strong supporter of staff having to adhere to a dress code, but this is taking it too far."
NWAS director of organisational development, Jon Lenney, said: "We do not feel that 'novelty' socks are appropriate for presenting a professional image."
16 Comments
View all
by Warren, Meir
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 8:48AM
“Worrieing about matching underwear, lord, thats going a tad to far, just clean will do.”
by Richie, Knutty Knutton
Monday, February 08 2010, 7:18PM
“Erm.. has the world gone mad???
who gives a Sh%T?? as long as they get to us and keep us alive!
Women oftern worrie about matching underwear (i know the wife does!;O)
if theyre knocked over by a bus,but to be honest if ur knocked over by a bus and ur ..on the life or death side of things...well..to be honest whats it matter?? and when u come out of a coma etc..are you going to moan that the ambulance driver had mickey mouse on his/her socks?
id just want to shake their hand and say..Thank you!
these guys and girls work very hard and sometimes people dont think of how hard they work.
big respect to them and wear the socks that u want.
kind regards
afrom a guy wearing odd ones ;o)”
by A Reader, Stoke
Monday, February 08 2010, 5:43PM
“As long as the ambulance gets to me in time and I get help, they can be dressed as Mickey Mouse in a burkha for all I care...”
by Warren, Meir
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:24PM
“One or two of them knitted finger pupets wouldn't go a miss neather, and a pair of them big slippers with claws on....lol. Oh and a DVD of " In The Night Garden" on the heart moniter thing, soon get them distracted.”
by Andy, Sandbach
Monday, February 08 2010, 2:22PM
“I have to say, I agree with the Ambulance Service.
If you wear a unifrom, then you ought to wear it correctly.
It matters not if the officer is competant or not. It is the perception it gives isn't it?
If a police officer came knocking at you door in a filthy dirty car, with her hair styled as though he were in a boy band, covered in tatoos and piercings, wearing a unifrom that wasn't ironed and bright pink socks - what would your first reaction be???!!!!!
I know what mine would be.Andy”