Eco Ninjas has been invited to Parliament to demonstrate how a simple, reusable innovation is transforming patient safety, teamwork, and sustainability across NHS operating theatres and maternity units.
Early Day Motion — House of Commons
"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, 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.
Observes that wider adoption of Theatre Badge Hats across the National Health Service may contribute to reductions in clinical errors and associated litigation costs, improvements in patient experience, and more efficient use of resources; and encourages consideration of consistent implementation of clear, visible staff identification in operating theatres and maternity units in the interests of patient safety, workforce effectiveness and environmental sustainability."
Communication failures in theatres contribute directly to poor outcomes, rising costs, and preventable harm across the NHS.
Supported & Endorsed By
Operating theatres and maternity units are high-risk environments where teams frequently rotate and standard scrub attire obscures name badges — making identification of staff difficult for patients and colleagues alike.
In a busy operating theatre or maternity unit, conventional name badges are hidden under scrubs and gowns. For patients under regional anaesthesia — fully conscious during their procedure — not knowing who is in the room heightens anxiety. For staff, particularly those new to a team or on rotation, identification gaps contribute to communication failures and errors.
Theatre Badge Hats prominently display each team member's name and professional role directly on the hat — visible to everyone in the room at all times. Made from standard scrub material, they are centrally laundered alongside hospital scrubs, reusable across the career of a healthcare professional, and available in a range of styles suitable for all hair types.
Patients can identify who is treating them, reducing anxiety and improving communication. Clear role identification helps prevent errors in high-risk procedures.
New and rotating staff are immediately identifiable. Teams work more effectively when everyone knows who they're working with — particularly in high-pressure situations.
Reusable hats laundered with hospital scrubs dramatically reduce single-use waste and associated CO₂ emissions — directly supporting the NHS Net Zero strategy.
One-time investment per hat versus ongoing spend on disposables. Wider adoption could reduce litigation costs associated with communication failures across the NHS.
Available in elasticated, hijab, and styles suitable for afro, braids, or large hair — ensuring every member of the surgical team can be clearly identified regardless of hair type.
Unlike disposable PPE which failed during COVID-19, reusable UK-manufactured hats ensure no supply chain disruption or inflated costs in future healthcare emergencies.
"I introduced these hats within my department for sustainability reasons, but their impact on teamwork and patient experience has been even more significant."
The Medical Women's Federation — the largest membership organisation of women doctors and medical students in the UK — has written to formally thank Eco Ninjas for their contribution to the MWF's national Theatre Hats project for women medical students, funded by the Royal College of Surgeons' Grassroots Fund.
The project provides free personalised theatre hats to women medical students — including hijab and afro/braids styles — ensuring inclusivity and clear identification for every student entering the operating theatre.
"I am delighted to offer this letter of support. Please use this as you would like." — Professor Scarlett McNally OBE, MWF Past-President
Join us at Westminster on 15th April 2026, or find out more about Theatre Badge Hats and how your organisation can get involved in making NHS theatres safer, greener, and more inclusive.