NEW research shows that patients want their doctors to wear the traditional white coat.

But a growing number of East Lancashire medics find the clothing, introduced in the 19th century, to be restricting and often intimidating for very young patients.

Research published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal found a preference for white coats was particularly strong among patients aged 70 plus but that patients aged 30 to 39 were less in favour.

Just one in eight doctors surveyed actually wore a white coat although older doctors were more likely to opt for the traditional look.

In East Lancashire the traditional white coat is also on the decline.

Dr Naga Reddy, a junior doctor at Burnley General Hospital, said: "Whether or not you will wear a white coat is established at the point of induction.

"A few consultants and their teams do all wear them but others don't specify that you should wear them.

"Unfortunately I had to wear one at medical school but I found it got in the way when examining patients and it was uncomfortable. I also found that children found it intimidating.

"I can't speak for everyone but there are not many who prefer to have the white coat.

"I think younger generations of patients are also less bothered as the image is a more traditional one and even hospital television programmes tend not to show many doctors in white coats now."

Dr David Grimes, Consultant Physician and previously Medical Director for the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust for 10 years said: "I think there are two main reasons for their decline; firstly hospitals have become very well heated and the white coat can become heavy and uncomfortable.

"Secondly, other staff groups wear white coats and they are no longer exclusively the uniform of the hospital doctor.

"Personally I would support the introduction of some form of practical uniform for doctors."