New "modesty" robe to replace bottom-flashing hospital gowns in UK

London, Feb 9 (ANI): The embarrassing bottom-flashing hospital gowns are set to be replaced by new "modesty" robe across British hospitals.

Patients have long complained that the traditional garments - which tie up at the rear - are undignified.

The new wraparound gowns, launched at North Bristol NHS Trust, tie up at the sides and protect the modesty of the wearer.Traditional hospital gowns have been the butt of many a joke over the years," the Telegraph quoted Carol de Halle, the Trust's acting director of Nursing as saying.

"Anyone who has been in hospital and worn one of them knows just how embarrassing and undignified they can be.

"These new gowns are much better, and we are very much looking forward to rolling them out across our organisation," de Halle added.

The Patients Association welcomed the new gowns.

"Very often when people are admitted to hospital they don't have enough time to bring some pajamas or a dressing gown with them and are instead forced to wear hospital gowns," said director Katherine Murphy.

"The old gowns don't do anything for people's dignity so these new gowns will go a long way to overcome this issue.

"It's extremely hard for patients to not get embarrassed when they are walking around in a hospital," she added.

She also said: "Many patients will be wheeling a drip with them and will find it hard to keep the back of their gowns closed while wheeling a trolley with them.

"I think the new gowns will help people feel more comfortable and feel like they have their dignity back.

"I don't know who designed those old gowns, but they were really bad. I hope all hospitals will start using these wrap around gowns as soon as possible." (ANI)