“Many years ago our Trust converted from cotton linen to disposable gowns and drapes. SMS, we soon learnt, was the fabric of choice as this was the one that was least likely to lint and we did not want to introduce any random fibres into either a traumatic injury/wound or an elective operation site due to the potential consequences.

The linting became apparent to us several months after converting fully to an SMS based product, when we noticed for example an absence of coloured dust on surfaces when damp dusting etc. We have done much work in theatre at Peterborough on latex so it is good to know that all the products from FSH are latex-free.

A real benefit is the fluid repellency, as trauma is my specialty we often have significant amounts of washout and it is important to know that the fluid will be repelled and not absorbed by gowns.

I have found FSH to be very supportive and responsive e.g. the procedure gown was manufactured at our request and we have a bespoke ENT drape. I am very satisfied with the products I use and would not change from an SM product to another fabric without exceptional reasons.”