Uniform Identifier

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust

Who’s who on your ward?

There are a lot of people working on a busy ward and it can be difficult to know who does what. There is no need to be confused, just use this helpful page to identify roles, responsibilities and uniforms. Scroll down the page to see all of the uniforms that you will see around the ward. If you are still unsure, just ask.

Click on the Information page to see quick links to useful information that you may need whether you are a patient, relative or visiting friend.

Scroll down to see all uniforms

Matron

Navy blue tunic with red piping

Matrons provide leadership and support for all ward sisters / charge nurses. They directly manage ward and departmental sisters and charge nurses and are responsible for the overall quality of care within their areas; such as cleanliness, safety and experience.

Staff Nurses

White tunic with blue epaulettes

Staff nurses are responsible for the delivery of high quality nursing care to patients and to work as part of the overall team such as doctors, nurses and therapists. Staff nurses provide hands on care, education and training and research.

Dietitian

White tunic with purple piping and blue trousers

Dietitians provide advice, support and practical assistance with any issues related to eating and drinking and ensuring patients have adequate nutrition. This may be related to helping people eat well, lose weight or gain weight.

Assistant Practitioner

Pale blue tunic with navy piping

An assistant practitioner is not a registered nurse but has undergone additional training to enable them to carry out an extended range of tasks such as wound dressings, taking bloods and certain tests. The assistant practitioners again work closely with and under the supervision of qualified nurses.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

White tunic with green trousers

These staff work with qualified occupational therapist and support patients with their ongoing rehabilitation. They are able to work directly with patients for example with exercises and walking practice but work under the supervision of the qualified occupational therapist.

Ward Clerk

Navy and aqua blouse

Working under the guidance, supervision and instruction of the ward manager and other qualified staff on the ward, a ward clerk maintains paper work, uses a computer for record keeping and deals with telephone enquiries on a ward.

Sisters and Charge Nurses

Navy blue tunic with white piping

Sisters and charge nurses are responsible for ensuring that high quality nursing care is delivered on their ward or in their department. They manage their team of nurses and support staff and ensure all day to day care is provided to the highest standards.

Physiotherapist

White tunic with navy piping and blue trousers

Physiotherapists help patients with rehabilitation, exercises and physical abilities such as walking, getting in and out of bed, specific treatment after an operation or for a condition such as chest infection.

Speech & Language Therapist

White tunic with lilac piping and blue trousers

Speech and Language therapists work with patients to help them with their speech, if they have any difficulties with swallowing, for example after a stroke and help with finding alternatives way to communicate if speech has been affected in any way.

Trainee Assistant Practitioner

White tunic with pale blue epaulettes

Trainee assistant practitioners are working towards their role as an assistant practitioner. They attend a specific course and are assessed during this time and work under the supervision of a qualified nurse.

Healthcare support worker

White tunic with red epaulettes

Healthcare support workers work closely with, and are supervised by, staff nurses. They provide direct patient care by undertaking tasks and elements of patient care such as recording vital signs, helping patients eat or wash, or taking bloods.

Deputy Sisters and Charge Nurses

Royal blue tunic with white piping

These are the second-in-command to the sisters and charge nurses and cover if the sister is away as well as being responsible for specific areas of work within the ward or department.

Occupational Therapist

White tunic with green piping and green trousers

Occupational Therapists help patients maintain, recover or become more independent in activities such as managing daily life, washing and dressing, any adaptations required and are key to helping patients manage when they return home.

Student Nurse

Grey tunic with blue piping

This is a nurse in training with a university who comes to the hospital for specific periods of time as part of their course. Students will be at different stages in their training and therefore have different capabilities; they always work under the supervision of a qualified nurse.

Physiotherapy Assistant

White tunic with blue trousers

These staff work with qualified physiotherapists and support patients with their ongoing rehabilitation. They are able to work directly with patients for example with exercises and walking practice but work under the supervision of the qualified physiotherapist.

Housekeeper

Pale green/white striped tunic with white piping

Housekeepers coordinate a range of services on the ward, including catering and cleaning.