Dignity at STARS clothing program

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

A dedicated patient clothing program at STARS is supporting vulnerable patients admitted to rehabilitation without suitable clothing.

The ‘Dignity at STARS’ clothing program provides 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. Support is also 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.

The initiative has been supported by RBWH Foundation.