Fit for hospital

This article applies to NHS England. It may hold for the other NHS nations but should be verified

NHS staff wear different colour uniforms. The colours have meaning

Staff in NHS England who are front line and not doctors almost always wear uniforms. And those uniforms have meanings. This means you can know at a glance the profession of the person you’re talking to and can approach the right profession for your query.

All the colours are set out by NHS England here but it’s a little hard to find so here is my overview.

Nursing and Midwifery

Sky blue with matching sky blue trim	Nursing associate
Hospital blue with navy contrast trim	Registered Nurse
Postman blue with navy contrast trim	Registered Midwife
Navy with matching navy trim	Team Leader
Royal blue with navy contrast trim	Enhanced practitioner
Navy with dark red contrast trim	Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Pharmacy Professions

Sherwood green with navy contrast trim	Pharmacy Technician
Bottle green with navy contrast trim	Pharmacist

Healthcare Science Professions

Eau-de-nil with navy contrast trim	Healthcare Science Practitioner
Peacock with navy contrast trim	Healthcare Science Scientist

Allied Health Professionals

Ruby with hospital blue contrast trim	Dietitians
Ruby with postman blue contrast trim	Speech and Language Therapist
Ruby with black contrast trim	Orthoptics
Ruby with sky blue contrast trim	Operating Department Practitioner
Ruby with cloud blue contrast trim	Osteopath
Ruby with sherwood green contrast trim	Music, Art and Drama Therapist
Ruby with royal blue contrast trim	Podiatry
Ruby with Eau-de-nil contrast trim	Diagnostic Radiographer
Ruby with white contrast trim	Theraputic Radiographer
White with navy contrast trim	Physiotherapist
White with bottle green contrast trim	Occupational Therapist
White with hospital blue contrast trim	Orthotists

Multi-Profession Uniforms

Cloud blue with navy contrast trim	Learner
Lilac with navy contrast trim	Clinical / Healthcare Assistant of Support Worker
Purple with navy contrast trim	Matron
Dark red with navy contrast trim	Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Black with dark red contrast trim	Head of Department

Doctors

Of course doctors wear what they want but they should have an NHS ID visible at least when they’re not doing something where it would get in the way.

I hope this helps you recognise the profession of the person you’re talking to so that you can direct the correct question to the correct person.