Coronavirus in Scotland: Hospital scrubs made by volunteers in the early days of the pandemic to be donated to a museum

Hospital scrubs made by volunteers in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic will be donated to a museum.

A national shortage of hospital scrubs meant many NHS trusts, including NHS Tayside, asked all patient-facing staff including doctors and consultants, to wear scrubs rather than their own clothes in order to minimise infection risks.

Distinctive scrubs, which were stitched by a textile design lecture, Jane Keith, who founded the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) Scrub Hub, will be kept in a museum.

They were made in Tayside Teal, named after the bespoke colour of fabric manufactured by local textile company Halley Stevenson, and were on display in the V&A Dundee.

Jane Keith with Hailey Stevensons and JD Wilkie.

They will be permanently kept in The McManus Art Gallery & Museum in Dundee as a reminder of collaborative efforts in response to the crisis.

Jane Keith, senior lecturer in Textile Design, said, "I am thrilled that the set will now find a permanent home within The McManus collection.

"The scrubs serve as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the Dundee community during an incredibly challenging time.

"It was such an honour to be part of this amazing project."

Billy Gartley, Head of Cultural Services, Leisure and Culture Dundee, said, "We are absolutely delighted to accept the scrubs into the city's permanent collection.

"Museums across the world have been turning their attention to collecting items that document the pandemic and the scrubs represent a very Dundee response to the challenging times we have lived and continue to live through."

NHS Tayside's Rod Mountain, who helped organise the effort, added, "Volunteers in the community, the University of Dundee and local industry all collaborated towards a common goal - the health and safety of our NHS staff during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

"It's great to know it will be remembered."

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