Eco Ninjas have been invited to Parliament to share the impact of Theatre Badge Hats on patient safety, communication, inclusion, patient experience and sustainability in NHS operating theatres and maternity units. The invitation highlights the growing national interest in practical, low-cost innovations that improve teamwork and the patient experience while supporting the NHS Net Zero strategy.

The visit is sponsored by Will Stone and Maya Ellis MP, and will take place in Room U, Portcullis House on 15 April 2026 from 12:30 to 15:00.

"That this House recognises the use of Theatre Badge Hats, which clearly display the name and professional role of each member of staff, as a practical tool to support safe and effective working in operating theatres and maternity units.

Notes that these clinical settings are high risk environments in which rapid and accurate communication is essential. Further notes that standard surgical attire frequently obscures conventional name badges, creating barriers to clear identification that can contribute to communication gaps, delays and avoidable errors.

Acknowledges that visible role-based identification can improve team coordination, enhance patient confidence and support overall theatre efficiency.

Encourages consideration of consistent implementation of clear and visible staff identification in operating theatres and maternity units in the interests of patient safety, workforce effectiveness and environmental sustainability."

Theatre Badge Hats prominently display each team member's name and role, improving team coordination, patient confidence and overall theatre efficiency. Wider NHS adoption offers clear benefits, including fewer errors, reduced litigation costs, improved patient experience and lower waste and carbon emissions.

The NHS performs around five million operations every year, involving teams with frequent staff rotation. In 2024 to 2025 alone, the NHS paid £3.1 billion in litigation costs, and maternity services accounted for £1.6 billion of that figure. Communication failures in theatre contribute directly to these outcomes. Theatre Badge Hats are a practical and low-cost solution.

In 2025, 45% of births, approximately 270,000, were delivered by caesarean section, and over 90% were performed under regional (awake) anaesthesia. For mothers and birth partners, not knowing who is present in theatre heightens anxiety. Patient focus groups consistently report that the inability to identify staff negatively affects confidence and perceived quality of care.

This aligns with the Baroness Amos Report, which highlights that poor teamwork and strained team relationships can lead to serious consequences in maternity care.

We are delighted to be joined by an exceptional group of clinical leaders and organisations, all united behind the Theatre Badge Hat initiative:

Somerset's Trauma and Orthopaedics department and Great Western Hospital's Maternity Unit already use badge hats and can speak from firsthand experience of the improvements they have made. All attendees are fully supportive of the Theatre Badge Hat initiative and its contribution to a safer and greener NHS.

We are proud to share that Professor Scarlett McNally OBE, immediate past President of the Medical Women's Federation (MWF), the largest membership organisation of women doctors and medical students in the UK, has written a formal letter of thanks and support for Eco Ninjas.

The MWF national Theatre Hats project, funded by the Royal College of Surgeons Grassroots Fund, offers free personalised hats to women medical students, including elasticated, hijab and afro or braids styles, ensuring that every student is clearly identified when entering the operating theatre.

Theatre Badge Hats provide a clear and reusable name and role identifier that strengthens team coordination, supports new and rotating staff, improves patient confidence and reduces waste from disposable hats. The hats can be laundered like scrubs to ensure infection control protocols are aligned with existing practices. Digitally printed badges can be worn by clinicians and writable reusable badges are also available for visitors such as reps and birthing partners.

Available in elastic backs, bandanas, surgical hoods, hijab and afro or braids styles, they are suitable for the entire surgical team. At Parliament, Eco Ninjas and clinical leaders will demonstrate how Badge Hats deliver measurable improvements in safety, efficiency, sustainability and patient experience, and how national adoption could support both the NHS workforce and the NHS Net Zero strategy.

We offer sample packs so your team can evaluate Theatre Badge Hats before placing a full order. The cost of the sample pack is fully refundable upon your first purchase.