FEMALE nurses will be wearing trousers for the first time in Hong Kong, after Yan Chai Hospital persuaded local fashion guru Eddie Lau Pai-kei to come up with a set of designer uniforms.
There was not a single starched white coat to be seen as a bevy of glamorous nurses modelled the nine combinations of skirts, shirts, jackets and trousers at the Conrad Hotel yesterday afternoon.
Hospital chief executive Dr David Cheng Pak-wing said: ''We are really pleased with the designs and so far the feedback from staff has been very positive.
''The nurses make an enormous contribution to the hospital although it is rarely recognised and, as we needed new uniforms anyway, I thought this was a good way of doing something for them.'' All grades of female staff - except student nurses, who will wear a new-look dress - will have the choice of either a skirt or trousers in pale green and cream.
Dr Cheng said: ''This is the first time we have introduced the option of trousers for women and the female staff seem to like the idea.'' For designer Mr Lau, who gave his services free, creating nurses' uniforms was a distinct change of scene.
''I usually design evening wear and this is the first time I have taken on anything quite as practical as this, but I really enjoyed the challenge,'' he said.
