Should medical staff only wear their uniforms in place of work?

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How often are we hearing about hospital acquired infections, wards shutting due to "the winter vomiting bug", MRSA etc...etc...? I have always been interested in nursing and when I was at school I did my work experience in a hospital. Back then (about 25 years ago) Hospitals had very strict rules and regulations and I feel very strongly that they should be brought back ie., We were NOT under any circumstances allowed to wear our uniforms outwith the hospital. We were NOT allowed jewellery. We were NOT allowed make-up and we HAD to have our hair tied up at all times. I remember thinking at the time that they were being a bit strict but if you actually think about it, it was good hygienic sense. To begin with, lets take jewellery - the amount of bacteria that collects in the crevices of rings, bracelets, watches and necklaces is amazing. That bacteria could easily be transferred into wounds or equipment. Uniforms were simple and yet clean and fresh. Because you were only allowed to wear them in the hospital there was no chance of carrying in germs from outside. It angers me so much when I see nurses, doctors, care workers walking around supermarkets/shops etc., before going in to their work. What have they brushed against? What bacteria or germs could now be on their uniforms that they then pass on to patients etc? Likewise, if they are dealing with an infected patient and then wear the uniform outside, they could similarly pass on infection to others. I often see care workers sitting in cafes during their lunch hours knowing that they are dealing with vulnerable people afterwards. The whole nursing attitude has changed. Matrons used to run wards and run it they did well. Not many people liked them because they were so strict but that had its advantages because nursing staff would NOT be able to cut corners - it just wouldnt have been allowed. Whilst visiting my Father in Law in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary I was horrified! He was in the Intensive care unit and before visiting you were supposed to use the provided hand gel. There was also a notice to say that if you had a cold/virus/bug etc., you were to refrain from visiting. Fine - noone disagreed with that. However!!!! We went along one day to find the hand gel empty so we asked if another one could be put up so we could go in to visit - We were told, just to go in that they would sort it later. Secondly, whilst visiting my Father in Law, one of the intensive care nurses was sneezing and coughing with a bad cold. My Mother in Law began to feel her throat becoming sore and said to one of the staff that she should probably go and not visit for a few days but was told - "Oh, don't worry about it, we've all got colds at the moment". My Father in Law who had been put in there as a precaution after major surgery developed a bad infection in his bowel (which had not even been operated on) and sadly died of MRSA. I would be interested to know other people's opinions on this subject.