September 5, 200718 yr Nurses told to give their comfy Crocs clogs the boot By DUNCAN ROBERTSON - More by this author » Last updated at 22:49pm on 4th September 2007 Comments Nurses have been banned from wearing Crocs shoes in hospital because their bosses say they look unprofessional. Many prefer the brightly coloured footwear to conventional shoes because they are comfortable on the wards. Nurses walk up to five miles during a 12-hour shift. The ban on the rubbery clogs has caused a rift between nurses and their managers at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust. Scroll down for more... Popular: Jack Nicholson and George Bush wear the trendy Crocs footwear Health chiefs are also concerned the slingback design and holes in the top and sides could spread infection. But a supplier of Crocs said the patented Croslite resin used to make them is easier to clean than the materials in normal shoes. Croslite is also reputed to "resist bacteria" and stop feet smelling. One nurse said: "After months of suffering with my feet at work, somebody suggested I try a pair. My feet have been in heaven ever since." The woman, who did not want to be named, added: "However, last week I was informed by my workplace that I can no longer wear these shoes because of health and safety issues - but no one can tell me what these are." Crocs have already been banned by health professionals overseas. A Swedish hospital claimed they generate static electricity that can knock out medical equipment and a U.S. hospital said syringes could fall through the holes. The £29 sandals have become popular in Britain after being launched in the U.S. in 2003. They were originally marketed as a boat shoe, with slip-resistant soles and holes in the top and sides to let water and sand out. But with nine styles and 17 colours, people soon started to wear them away from water and the shoe's distinctive look became a fashion hit with stars such as Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino. Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton has also been seen in a pair. The company behind Crocs is now branching out into clothing, including shirts, shorts and skirts, which should hit the shops in October. It also plans to make sports equipment, accessories such as bags and even underwear. Even before news of the clothes launch, Wall Street analysts Piper Jaffray were predicting sales would shoot up from £178million in 2006 to £408million this year.
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