Health Bill

The areas of greatest risk are patients who are very poorly and have wounds—people who are going into hospital for invasive procedures, including something as simple as the insertion of a drip, or for some form of operation. It is appropriate that, in those cases, suitable additional protective clothing be worn. Indeed, such practice is widespread. Plastic aprons and gloves are worn by those who are going to spend some time with such patients, even visitors. The point that the hon. Lady makes about how clean a uniform looks is unarguable and patently true, but including in the code a requirement on the NHS to ensure that uniforms are of a required standard of cleanliness is a very forceful step to take. I hope that she is to some extent reassured—