An NHS trust has announced the death knell of the traditional back-tying hospital gown by introducing ones that fasten at the side instead.

North Bristol NHS Trust highlighted complaints from patients in the past about the lack of modesty the garments provide them with while walking around hospitals.

It has now ordered 1,000 of the new gowns and said that the response from both patients and employees regarding the change has been positive so far.

Carol de Halle, acting director of nursing at the trust, explained that the gowns have been "the butt of many a joke" in the past.

"North Bristol NHS Trust is committed to improving our patients' privacy and dignity and the new gowns will make a big difference," she concluded.

In related news, Bryan Stoten, chair of the NHS Confederation, said last week that reducing the number of smokers in the UK is the biggest challenge facing the health service in the future.