A Practical Shift That Benefits Everyone
Across the care home sector, expectations are changing - not just around care standards, but around how teams feel, function and present themselves day to day. One noticeable shift is the growing move away from traditional tunics and toward scrubs.
This isn’t about following a trend. It’s about practicality, comfort and clarity for staff, residents, and those responsible for running and managing care homes.
Here’s why more care providers are making the switch.
- Supporting Staff Comfort, Confidence and Performance
Care roles are physically and emotionally demanding. Long shifts, constant movement, and close interaction with residents mean clothing needs to work hard too.
Scrubs are designed for exactly this kind of environment.
- Comfort over long shifts
Scrubs are typically made from soft, breathable fabrics with stretch, allowing staff to move freely throughout the day without restriction.
- Ease of wear
Pull-on designs, elasticated waists and simple fastenings reduce pressure points and improve comfort - especially during busy shifts.
- Professional confidence
When staff feel comfortable and confident in what they’re wearing, it shows. Scrubs create a clean, professional look that staff can take pride in. particularly when personalised with embroidered names, roles or a subtle company logo.
Clear branding and identification not only enhance presentation but also help staff feel part of a unified, professional team.
For teams who are on their feet all day, the difference is noticeable.
- Creating a Calm and Reassuring Experience for Residents
Uniforms play a bigger role in resident experience than they’re often given credit for.
Scrubs offer:
- A clear, recognisable appearance
Residents and visitors can easily identify care staff, which is particularly important for those living with dementia or cognitive impairments.
- A softer, less clinical feel
Modern scrubs come in a wide range of colours and styles, helping care homes strike the right balance between professionalism and warmth.
- Consistency across the team
A unified look helps residents feel safe and supported, reinforcing trust in the care being provided.
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When staff look calm, capable and approachable, it has a direct impact on how care is perceived.
- Practical Benefits for Care Home Owners and Managers
From an operational perspective, scrubs make sense.
- Durability and longevity
Scrubs are designed to withstand frequent washing at higher temperatures, maintaining their shape and colour over time. Many modern scrubs are also wrinkle resistant, creating an easy care routine for the wearer.
- Simplified uniform management
Fewer styles and clearer sizing reduce ordering complexity and make onboarding new staff easier. Many care homes are also choosing to streamline procurement by working with a single uniform partner and using an online ordering portal, like WIS+ helping managers maintain control over budgets, approvals and staff allocations without adding to administrative workload.
- Cost-effectiveness
With long-lasting fabrics comers a reduced need for replacements, scrubs can offer better value over time than traditional uniforms.
- A modern, professional image
Scrubs help position care homes as forward-thinking, aligned with wider healthcare standards, and invested in staff wellbeing.
In a sector where recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges, these details matter.
- A Natural Fit for Modern Care Environments
Care homes today are evolving. Teams are more multidisciplinary, expectations are higher, and the line between healthcare and care provision continues to blur.
Scrubs reflect this evolution:
- They’re already familiar to many staff who’ve worked in the NHS or clinical settings
- They support infection control and hygiene standards
- They reinforce professionalism without sacrificing comfort
For many care homes, moving into scrubs isn’t a radical change - it’s a logical next step.
Final Thoughts
Switching to scrubs is about more than uniform choice. It’s about supporting the people who deliver care, reassuring those who receive it, and helping care homes operate smoothly and professionally.
As the sector continues to adapt, scrubs offer a simple, practical way to move forward - with benefits felt across the entire care community.
If you’re considering a move to scrubs but aren’t sure where to start, a small wearer trial can be a helpful first step. Gathering feedback from your team before making a wider change ensures the decision works in practice, not just on paper.
Alternatively, an open conversation about your care home’s specific requirements — from branding and budgets to ordering processes — can help you explore what the right solution might look like for your team.