COMMUNITY nurses in east Suffolk will not be banned from wearing their uniforms in shops and public buildings, health bosses said today.A primary care trust in Sunderland hit the headlines earlier this week when their staff were told of the controversial proposal.

COMMUNITY nurses in east Suffolk will not be banned from wearing their uniforms in shops and public buildings, health bosses said today.

A primary care trust in Sunderland hit the headlines earlier this week when their staff were told of the controversial proposal.

Sunderland health bosses said the move had been made to reflect the current infection control agenda and in response to public fears over superbugs like MRSA.

Around 300 community nurses, who visit patients in their homes, have been told not to use any shops while on duty and in uniform.

But the Suffolk East Primary Care Trusts have confirmed they have no plans to adopt such a strict ruling.

Jeremy Peters, spokesman for the Suffolk East PCTs, said: "Generally, staff are not banned from wearing their uniform while not working but if they have to wear it, for various practical reasons, they are asked to cover it with a coat whilst in public places.

"As the three PCTs begin to work together more closely we will be looking at individual policies in detail but we have no plans to adopt this kind of approach at present."

He said that such a stringent approach would not be practical and added that all policies on uniforms would be drawn up in line with the best practice guidelines issued by the Department of Health.

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