Last week, I had my first new-patient clinic since our Trust has decided to get serious about enforcement of the 'bare below the elbows' policy. New patient clinic is the one place where, as a consultant, one could or even should make the effort - patients expect it - you are the one they are entrusting their or their loved ones' fragile delicate lives to and you should therefore play the part - they expect to be impressed. A pin striped suit (2 or 3 piece) with appropriately coloured (or white) shirt with French cuffs and serious cufflinks (not the ones in the illustration - they're for registrars!)
So, there I was, in front of the wardrobe pondering on what to wear. Should I go in jeans and a sweat (as I sometimes do on operating days) and change into the scrubs (sans white coat off course!) Should I wear trousers, short sleeved white shirt and drab tie and look like a civil servant ?
