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Supporting Safer, Greener Theatres and patient feedback
- Danielle Checketts
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 29
Supporting Safer, Greener Theatres and patient feedback At Eco Ninjas, one of our core missions is to enhance patient safety by improving communication within operating theatres, cardiac catheter labs, maternity, and radiology departments. However, we also appreciate that not every hospital or Trust will choose our theatre badge hats as their preferred option. That’s why we also offer a range of high-quality, reusable theatre hats, available plain or embroidered, with or without logos to suit your hospital’s needs.
Many hospitals choose to colour-code plain hats according to staff roles, while others opt for a single colour with names and roles embroidered on the front. Bespoke embroidery can be time-consuming to organise, and we are happy to support you through this process if you decide it’s the right route for your team.
When considering personalised hats, it’s worth factoring in staff turnover, as when individuals leave, their named hats often leave with them. One sustainability lead we spoke with even mentioned the painstaking task of unpicking embroidery to reuse hats, a method that, while inventive, can be both difficult and time intensive.
Whether you opt for embroidered hats or a simple, streamlined approach with plain hats, we’re here to help you find the best solution. All our hats are made from polycotton, the same durable material used for NHS scrubs. After extensive discussions with laundry partners and textile experts, polycotton remains the most practical, long-lasting, and shrink-resistant fabric available, balancing durability with sustainability. We’re also actively exploring new materials, such as hemp and other plant-based textiles, and will continue to innovate where sustainable alternatives prove both cost-effective and viable for long-term use.
Why Named Hats Matter: Real Patient Feedback
Before deciding on whether to implement named or plain hats across your Trust, we’d love to share just a few of the heartfelt comments we received via Somerset’s social media channels from the community and patients, following their successful one-month theatre badge hat trial in Orthopaedics.
These testimonials highlight the power of clearly identifying theatre staff, not just for improving sustainability and team communication, but for making patients feel safer, more at ease, and more connected in what can be a very daunting environment.
Feedback from March 2025:
I had orthopedic surgery yesterday at MPH and must say as a patient this was lovely. People wear ID lanyards but often have them tucked in pockets to keep them out of the way. I could talk to people and immediately know who they were and what their role was. Very reassuring. Well done all and thank you all for amazing care yesterday.
As an autistic person who struggles with faces on a good day, this is an excellent initiative!
Literally suggested this years ago for emergencies when resus come to labs and has no clue who people are.
Great idea! I remember once a senior nurse writing STUDENT on my theatre hat because they didn’t have any of the student ‘colours’ left! This is much more dignified.
As someone that's had lots of ops, I think this is a great idea.
Fantastic idea, hope NHS England pick up this idea and roll it out nationwide. Eco friendlier plus patient friendlier too. Win win.
Great idea, as a patient you see so many people in hospital.....me personally, can never remember their names.
What a fabulous idea! Having worked in various hospital settings throughout the world knowing who is who and who does what instantly in a stressful situation is a game changer.
Colour coding won’t help the patients or their families— as a nurse and patient that is AWESOME!!
Excellent. All those years working in theatre and everyone was in disguise.
I had a full hip replacement last week…while I had excellent care and fabulous staff surrounding me, this would have been a great way to connect with the team who treated & supported me. ❤️NHS.
Great idea, I forget names & often don’t hear them. This helps& I’m sure people appreciate being spoken to by name.
Love the idea!! Clearly displaying names is so important to patients - especially when in a new environment and pain medication.
It’s really nice to be able to use their name. When they introduce themselves, it matters to us.
Congratulations for making this a formal procedure.I know at least one trauma team here have used sticker labels for a long timeIt’s an essential for all to know who is responsible for each role.
It's also a good colour for contrast with black text, makes it easier to read especially for anyone with any kind of visual impairment.
Awesome idea! Good luck & keep looking for opportunities to improve safety & communication in healthcare! Excellent concept, really!!
As a patient I would find this helpful. There are so many unknowns when going into theatre. Knowing people’s names and what their role is would be reassuring. A great idea!
There are many more insightful comments. To see the full discussion and a video created by the Trust's communications team, please follow the link below: 👉 Instagram video
– Somerset NHS.
How We Support Your Transition
We’re not a traditional retailer; we don’t sell individual hats globally. Instead, we focus on large-scale Trust conversions across the UK, offering hands-on, personalised support throughout implementation. From initial planning to post-launch reviews, we bring our experience to help each hospital roll out reusable theatre hats in a way that fits their unique setting.
Here’s how we can support you:
Help with selecting colours, embroidery, badge options and order volumes.
Provide a detailed implementation plan and educational posters for staff.
Advise on infection control protocols tailored to your laundering method – whether in-house, at home or via third-party services.
Guidance on washing and storing badges according to what other hospitals do.
Recommend the right hat styles and sizes for your trust – including our multicultural and inclusive range.
We’ve also developed a comprehensive implementation guide, drawing on four years of research, feedback and lived experiences including the excellent insights gained from Somerset’s pilot programme. This guide is designed to make your journey as smooth and successful as possible.
Exciting news
We are now set up with NHS approved Framework provider Mediq.
Please see the link below to the list of our products on their website:
Let’s Build a Greener, Safer NHS Together
Wishing you a joyful and bright spring season. We’re excited to continue supporting more Trusts as they join us in making the switch to reusable, clearly identifiable theatre hats.
If you have any questions or would like to explore options for your hospital, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: