NHS Wales: a smooth transition, uniforms you trust
supporting a seamless supplier switch
NHS Wales operates a fully standardised uniform programme across seven health boards, covering hospitals, community settings, universities, and GP practices. The programme supports a wide range of clinical roles, including nurses, midwives, healthcare support workers, nursery nurses, and students, delivering a consistent professional identity across the nation.
The standardised Welsh NHS uniform was established well ahead of NHS England, creating a strong foundation of consistency and governance. When the programme went out to tender, NHS Wales sought a supplier who could take on the existing designs seamlessly — maintaining familiarity for wearers — whilst delivering improved value and long-term partnership.
Alsico was appointed following a Wales public tender, becoming responsible for manufacturing, embroidery and supply of standardised and non-standardised NHS uniforms, as well as student healthcare uniforms for universities across Wales.
the challenge
For NHS Wales, the priority was clear: switch suppliers without disrupting a nationally recognised, tightly governed uniform programme. Any changes to design, colourways or fit risked confusion, resistance and non-compliance — particularly in an environment staff strictly enforce standardisation.
There were also practical challenges to manage. Our ordering processes differed from the previous supplier, and certain garments — such as lightweight options for menopausal staff or 100% cotton for sensitive skin — were made to order rather than standard stock. This created early uncertainty for wearers about what they were permitted to order and which options applied to them.
At the same time, procurement pressures remained a key driver. NHS Wales needed to retain the same uniform look and structure, but at a more competitive cost, without compromising quality, availability or scale.
My success for NHS Wales has been defined by wearer confidence — providing uniforms that are comfortable, fit for purpose and easy to wear throughout demanding roles. By maintaining consistency whilst expanding options, we have helped ensure staff feel supported, not constrained, by standardisation.
Stephanie Knowles, NHS Wales Account Manager at alsico UK
the solution
Alsico’s approach focused on continuity first, growth second. The existing standardised NHS uniform designs were maintained, ensuring a smooth transition for wearers, whilst alsico worked behind the scenes to strengthen supply, simplify ordering and expand the offering in line with wearer needs.
fabric choice and extended sizing
Three fabric options were introduced across the agreed colourways — standard, lightweight, and 100% cotton — giving staff choice without undermining standardisation. In parallel, alsico redesigned the maternity uniform range, introducing improved stretch, movement and comfort to better support pregnant wearers throughout their shifts.
Inclusive sizing was retained and enhanced, with unisex garments available from XS to 4XL, alongside multiple height options for tunics and trousers. Additional measurement guidance, including chest and hip sizing, was added to help wearers order correctly first time.
simple rollout
Rollout across all seven health boards was deliberately kept simple. Alsico developed a clear SKU-based spreadsheet covering all three fabric options, enabling procurement teams to order the correct garments and colourways consistently at scale. This single, shared system continues to support efficient ordering across NHS Wales, whilst a new e-trading system is developed in the background for quicker and more efficient ordering.
The programme demonstrates that changing supplier does not have to mean starting again. By delivering continuity first and innovation second, alsico has positioned itself not just as a uniform supplier, but as a long-term growth partner — ready to evolve the uniform offering in line with workforce needs, from menopause support to maternity, sustainability and future role expansion.
Charlotte Clarke, Managing Director at alsico UK
the results
Feedback from wearers has been consistently positive, particularly around ease of ordering, garment quality and comfort. The redesigned maternity uniforms and lightweight fabrics have been especially well received, reinforcing the value of listening to wearer needs rather than standing still.
From a procurement perspective, NHS Wales has achieved the desired balance of cost control and quality, with confidence in alsico’s ability to supply at a national scale, and across all sizes. The programme continues to grow, with more roles being brought into standardisation and universities increasingly aligned to the national NHS uniform — whether through standardised or approved non-standardised garments.
The partnership has also created space for future innovation. NHS Wales and alsico are actively exploring the introduction of our ALSIFLEX® fabric stretch technology — a lightweight, breathable healthcare uniforms with added stretch — as part of an ongoing commitment to comfort, sustainability and inclusivity.
When I issue any uniforms out to staff, I always make sure that they are happy with their overall fit when they try the garments on [...] Overall staff are very happy with the uniforms provided to them, which allows them to perform their jobs effectively.
Claire Beresford, Sewing Room at Swansea Bay UHB
learn more about our healthcare solutions
We offer comprehensive uniform solutions for a variety of environments, ensuring comfort, functionality and sustainability. As one of the largest workwear suppliers of healthcare uniforms in the UK, our expertise spans across care homes, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities, providing tailored solutions that meet the unique demands of each setting.
