National Ambulance Uniforms and General Workwear – Buying Guide
The Nationally endorsed NHS framework National Ambulance Uniforms and General Workwear provides core uniform garments and general workwear items for the NHS Ambulance Service Trusts.
This agreement has had extensive input from key stakeholders across the UK, including the National Ambulance Uniform User Group; comprising of frontline paramedics and operational staff.
The lotting structure for the National Ambulance Uniforms framework is as follows:
The National Ambulance Uniforms and General Workwear Framework consists of two lots, one for core uniform garments and another for general workwear items. Each lot has a different way to order products.
Lot One – Core Uniform Garments
- 3 in 1 Multifunctional Interchangeable Coat
- Beanie Hat
- Canvas Belt
- Enhanced Visionary Trouser*
- Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Operational Shirt
- EOC Polo Shirt
- Hi Viz Tabard
- Hi Viz Jacket
- Hi Viz Trouser
- Knee Pads
- Leather Belt
- Non-Safety Boot (Water Resistant)
- Non-Safety Boot (Waterproof)
- Operational Shirt
- Operational Trouser
- Polo Shirt
- Safety Boot (Water Resistant)
- Safety Boot (Waterproof)
- Support Staff 3 in 1 Multifunctional Interchangeable Coat
- Support Staff Beanie Hat
- Support Staff Operational Shirt
- Support Staff Polo Shirt
- Vegan Belt
- White T-Shirt.
*Please note Enhanced Visionary Trousers are not currently available to order. The new trouser is currently being designed, developed, tested and trialled with the NHS Ambulance Service for their specific use Upon availability, National Ambulance Uniform User Group representatives will be advised.
Lot Two: General Workwear Items
- Ambulance Skirt
- Baseball Cap
- Black T-Shirt
- Blue T-Shirt
- EOC Fleece Sweater
- Helmets
- Helmet and PPE Bag
- Helmet Bag (Padded Drawstring)
- Hijab
- Kippah
- Maternity wear
- Occupational Footwear Boot
- Occupational Footwear Shoe
- Softshell
- Turban
- Utility Belt
- Vegan Footwear (Non-Safety)
- Vegan Footwear (Safety)
- White Shirt (Officer).
How to Order
From 1 September 2022 products can be obtained through your trust’s standard purchase ordering process for lot two General Workwear Items. Contact your National Ambulance Uniform User Group representative for further details on how to do this.
See our Useful Links section for full details on item pricing please view the Supplier Matrices on the Contract Information Page.
Please note: an online ordering portal has been developed for garments on lot one Core Uniform Garments. Please contact your Trust Representative or the Procurement Category Manager for National Ambulance Uniforms at NHS Supply Chain: Hotel Services for further details in relation to the onboarding of your Trust.
Hotel Services Support
Engaging With The NHS
For us to deliver the right products the right way we have continuously ensured that our customer’s voice and the wearer’s feedback is incorporated throughout this entire process.
The National Ambulance Uniform User Group supported NHS Supply Chain: Hotel Services to create the framework. Their input has been integral to ensure that the final output of the National Ambulance Uniform is fit for purpose. Such as, providing guidance on the uniform to include every element required by the end user. Also, ensuring that there is scope to continually assess the changing requirements over time and deliver future developments.
The National Ambulance Uniforms User Group is made up of frontline paramedics and operational staff from across the UK.
We are really pleased with the progress made leading up to the launch of the new National Ambulance uniform. We have worked closely with our new suppliers, to do everything possible to ensure a seamless transition between contracts and that all our wearers continue to receive their uniforms. We have worked on a number of improvements with the new Core Uniform Garments supplier, including the development and forthcoming trial of the new enhanced trouser, following previous wearer feedback that the existing ambulance trouser could be improved. The National Uniform User Group will continue to review the new launched uniform and ensure that we work closely with NHS Supply Chain: Hotel Services to deliver a fit for purpose and improved uniform for our staff. We will be asking for feedback from wearers as the new uniform rolls out to ensure we are delivering what we aspired to do with a new and improved uniform provision
Mark Ainsworth, National Ambulance Uniforms User Group Chair and Director of Operations at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Continuous engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including the National Ambulance Uniforms User Group and our suppliers has been paramount to the launch of this national framework. I’d personally like to thank all members of the Ambulance Service and our Customers, that have taken time out of their day jobs to support this project, whether it be through assisting with specifications, approving samples or representation as trusts leads in the workstreams. Together we have delivered this project during the pandemic and will continue to innovate through the finalisation of the new enhanced trouser.
Elisa Lamb, Procurement Category Manager for National Ambulance Uniforms
The Benefits
This new framework agreement has been nationally endorsed with extensive input from key stakeholders across the sector, including Ambulance Trust Heads of Procurement, the National Ambulance Uniform User Group, infection control leads and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leads.
The continual input from all stakeholders has enabled us to ensure that the garments delivered to meet all requirements of the wearers. Garment enhancements have now been introduced and approval has been given that the new features offer improved comfort of fit, offer additional practical features and maintain a smart appearance when worn.
The range of garments available are high quality and fit for purpose for a variety of ambulance service roles, and reflects the communities served by the ambulance services.
To ensure that the uniform complements the communities that the NHS Ambulance service represents, a suitable range of supporting cultural garments will now be available through this framework.
We collaborated with leading equality and diversity professionals, to identify the appropriate range to be included within this offering. They helped us ensure representation and inclusivity across the entire framework agreement for the ambulance service.
The National Ambulance User Group worked closely with us on the development of the new trouser design. This project has an individual workstream. The launch date for the new trouser will be confirmed following national wearer trials. More information on features of the new trouser design will be provided following the launch.
For further details on this workstream please speak to your National Ambulance User Group representative.
