A project which aims to improve the dignity and care of patients by making sure they have a change of clothes if they are admitted to hospital in an emergency has been unveiled.

The scheme at Bradford Royal Infirmary provides unisex clothing from a special ‘dignity room’ on one of the hospital wards for adults who are being discharged and only have their nightwear with them.

Dawn Parkes, head of nursing in medicine at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “When someone is brought into the hospital by ambulance in a rush, the priority is to get them emergency medical treatment as quickly as possible.

“If these emergencies take place at night, we often find that patients arrive on to the hospitals’ wards in their nighties or pyjamas."

Following a request from nursing staff at the Foundation Trust, the Friends of the Bradford Royal Infirmary stepped in to provide the initial funding for the scheme.

A £1,000 donation supplied the initial purchase of unisex clothing items and the new ‘dignity room’ which is located on ward 30 (elderly) opened in December.