Hospital nurse tabards are criticised

Nurses at hospitals in Staffordshire and the West Midlands have been criticised for wearing "do not disturb" tabards when administering medication.

The policy is in place at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, Walsall Manor Hospital, the Dudley Group of Hospitals and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton refused to comment on the issue.

It means visitors, patients and other NHS staff are told not to disturb colleagues when they carry out their drug rounds, in a bid to stamp out mistakes.

Health bosses believe the policy has been proven to reduce the number of times nurses are interrupted, making it less likely they will make mistakes with medication.

Despite this, patient groups say it will leave vulnerable patients feeling they are unable to approach staff.

Joyce Robins, from the campaign group Patient Concern, said: "It sends patients the wrong message."