Bare below the… What do patients want their doctor to wear?

In January 2008 NHS trusts adopted a new dress-code policy for doctors as part of a series of initiatives set out by the secretary of state for health to reduce hospital-acquired infections. Generally referred to as 'bare below the elbows,' the dress code forbids long sleeves, long neckties, white coats, wristwatches and jewellery except for a single plain (wedding) band from all clinical areas, including outpatient clinics.