Passion project sees Forté’s uniforms upcycled

Handmade patient bags can now be found hanging from the beds at Forté Hospital, thanks to a sustainability initiative from one of its own.

Forté Quality Administration Coordinator Frances Kenny makes the bags – an idea she had after seeing old scrubs and uniforms destined for landfill.

“While most of the scrubs and uniforms were being sent to the Pacific Islands, some of the older ones were too tatty to be reused. I hated the idea of them being dumped, so took them home and got the sewing machine out!” says Frances.

Frances transformed the old uniforms into bags for patients, which she makes in a variety of sizes. These are used to put patients’ personal belongings in prior to surgery. The bags are then pulled tight shut with ribbon and hung on the end of the patient’s bed.

“I hate seeing anything go to waste – I try to reuse, recycle and upcycle whatever I can. This is a great use of the old uniforms, and it gives patients something a little more special to pop their personal items in. Sometimes they even end up taking the bag home!”

Forté Health CEO Rachel Hillyer says they love Frances’ initiative, as do the patients.

“We’re so privileged to have staff like Frances who share our sustainability values and go the extra mile to deliver on those values for our patients and our planet,” says Rachel.