STARS clothing program ensures patients are dressed for rehab success

Brooke Wadsworth with some of the clothing items available in the ‘Dignity at STARS’ patient care initiative.

STARS have recently launched a dedicated patient clothing program, ‘Dignity at STARS’ after receiving funding for the initiative from the RBWH Foundation in July 2024.

The ‘Dignity at STARS’ clothing program will provide a full set of new day clothes to patients who are considered in need, vulnerable or at risk when admitted to rehabilitation without suitable attire. There is also funding available for alterations or adaptive clothing items, for patients with specific clothing needs such as those with amputations or a stoma bag.

Physiotherapy Team Leader Brooke Wadsworth who is behind ‘Dignity at STARS’ knows what a difference having appropriate clothing can make to a patient.

“Patients admitted to hospital don’t always have the chance to plan on what to bring with them and may not have family and/or friends who can access their personal items. Their only clothing option is a hospital gown,” Brooke said.

“The ‘Dignity at STARS’ program will allow patients to ditch the hospital gown in favour of clothing that is fit for the purpose of rehabilitation.

“In the rehabilitation space, having patients dress in clothing rather than the purple hospital gowns means everyone shifts their mindset from ‘sick person’ to active participant in their own recovery.

“The goal of ‘Dignity at STARS’ is to provide dignified, compassionate care.”

Patients will also have access to shoes and toiletries as part of the program, which is supported by Thread Together, STARS Staff Council and the Patient Experience Team.

‘Dignity at STARS’ will collaborate with the RBWH Social Work department who also received a RBWH Foundation grant for their ‘Discharge with Dignity’ program, an initiative providing clothing to those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence and homelessness.