title: Trivial pursuit.
abstract: I commend Nurse Snowden (Letters, Nursing Standard week ending December 19) for putting forward the patients' view. However one must be cautious in interpreting people's views; I have heard suggestions on uniform from some male patients that I doubt Nursing Standard would print (unless on page 3? ). It is essential to see such views in context- for example, if she were to ask 'what do you think is most professional for a nurse, a smart cap or a high standard of nursing?' she might not get 100 per cent in favour of caps.
authors.forename: Andrew L J
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Heenan