Nurses' uniforms have been the subject of ongoing debate in many areas. Following the Ashworth Hospital inquiry, two wards at the hospital piloted the wearing of casual clothes by nurses. Patients and nurses in these wards completed questionnaires to evaluate the effects of the change. The results showed that the patients felt casual clothes helped remove a 'them and us' distinction and enhanced nurse/patient relationships. Nurses found casual clothes to be more comfortable and practical. Although concern was expressed that, without uniform, nurses might not be readily identifiable in an emergency situation, the change to casual clothing was generally viewed positively by both patients and nurses.