WHEN I joined the Royal Naval Sick Berth Staff in 1942 I was issued with a white linen operating-theatre gown and a manual of instruction. Both had to be carried round with me at all times during duty hours and woe betide the probationer found without them.
The gown would be donned whenever entering a ward or other clinical area. Similar garments were held in all wards and departments for use by qualified staff.
All staff wore the same garment with the exception of a medical officer who wore a distinctive white linen smock. I remained on the active reserve until reaching retirement age in the 1970s and it was ever thus. It would never have occurred to me to question whether similar standards exist elsewhere until reading the letter by J Leonard (Letters, Friday, April 8).
JOHN HINTON,
Worcester.
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