A NUMBER of complaints have been made to Barnsley Hospital about nurses not covering their tattoos, it has been revealed.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the number of complaints made to bosses about staff at the Gawber Road site over the latest two-year period.
It shows that between 2023 and 2024 a total of 292 formal complaints were made against staff.
This number dropped to 280 over the latest 12-month period.
However, the figures show that up to ten of those complaints related to nurses whose tattoos were visibly on display.
It has been confirmed that the complaints listed the tattoo issue as a secondary issue – and no nurses were reprimanded for their appearance.
A spokesperson for Barnsley Hospital said: “The trust’s policy intends to ensure employees present as clean, smart, professional and easily identifiable to give patients confidence and comply with infection prevention and control requirements and health and safety legislation.
“The policy does permit staff to have tattoos but these should be appropriately covered if deemed to be ‘offensive’ and the policy states that piercings should be discreet and professional, small studs only, and not cause offence or a health hazard.”
