Uniform Question -don't hate me!

Hi,

I can't help too much on the history, but I have to say that I've lived in Britain (US citizen) for more than 10 years, and I've never seen that belt thing except in old Carry-On films.

I have seen photos of the new "modern matrons" for the NHS - -supposedly a cross between senior nurse and hospital business manager/housekeeper?-- and some of them were wearing that belt thing. It that case it was red?

good luck with the party!

Belts used to denote the grade of the Nurse

Brown = Nursing Auxillary

Green = Enrolled nurse

Pale Blue = Staff Nurse

Dark Blue = Sister

However to confuse things different hospital had different colours

The Buckle could only be worn by qualified Nurses

Bronze for 2nd level nurses (State Enrolled Nurse)

Silver for 1st level Nurses (State Registered Nurses)

Traditionally it was bought by the parents on qualification.

Hope this helps

Addition to previous post

Not worn now as nurse tend to wear tops and tunics and were considered to be both a infection risk and the could harm a patient when handling them.

A male perpective - they added shape to the uniform

hey I still wear the old belt!! my belt is navy with a silver buckle which was my mums!! the buckle is older than I am!!

Buckles often represented the hospital you trained in... moorfields eye hospital had a brilliant one which was presented to the best nurse in the training group! my friend has the charing cross hospital buckle.

karen

So the old-style buckle was a combination of the modern day college/uni pin and the epeletes (can't spell that word) that a lot of the tunics & dresses have??

Thanks for the info.

I have a silver buckle on my navy belt - only wear it in the summer when I feel it is too hot for my trousers & Tunic!! My Hubby bought it for me for my birthday about 13 years ago now...they are a very nice addition to the uniform, but not very practical...

Wow. Great info!!! Now, I need to find out how to get one.

best all - jenn

i'd like to see what one looks like! any links with pics out there?

cheers!

moe

Ebay.co.uk has 15 for sale at present!

but have you a link? if not...what on earth do ya call these belts so that i may do a search on ebay.co.uk?!!!

cheers!

moe

http://www.silverware-shop.co.uk/html/nurses_buckles.html

http://www.gmjewellery.co.uk/nursesbuckles.html

http://www.walshbrothers.co.uk/Update/nurses-buckles.htm

Three links found from google, not advocating the companies but have pictures

When i qualified i had a lovely silver belt with cherubs bought by my parents.

i had to have a green belt as i was an Enrolled nurse, now we all wear tops and trousers which is much better, in our department we are all staff nurses, level one or level two. There is one colour unform for all staff nurses (white with blue stripes) which makes us all much more equal, i wouldn't want to go back to coloured belts and buckles and dresses.

My antique buckle is safely packed in a box in the loft (forever).