In brief
September is Urology Awareness Month, a campaign run by The Urology Foundation to raise awareness of urological cancers and conditions like kidney stones, incontinence and UTIs. Urology nurses and theatre staff often work long, physically demanding shifts, and comfortable, breathable scrubs are one of the small things that genuinely help. This article looks at what the month covers, why fit and fabric matter for theatre work, and which Happythreads scrubs are built with long shifts in mind.
What is Urology Awareness Month?
Every September, The Urology Foundation runs Urology Awareness Month to put a spotlight on urological disease. That covers a wide range of conditions, from cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate, penis and testes, through to benign conditions such as incontinence, urinary tract infections, kidney stones and erectile dysfunction. The month brings together researchers, urologists, nurses and allied healthcare professionals, along with patients and their families, with the aim of improving care and reducing the stigma that still surrounds urological health.
It is also a moment to recognise the specialist teams who work in this area day to day. Urology nursing, theatre and outpatient staff are not always the first group that comes to mind when people picture hospital care, but their work is demanding, technical and often physically relentless.
Working in urology: long and demanding shifts
A urology theatre list can run for hours, with procedures ranging from short cystoscopies to longer, more complex surgeries. Staff are often on their feet for the full duration, moving between scrub sink, theatre and recovery, gowning and re-gowning, and staying focused through cases that require precision throughout.
Outside theatre, urology nurses in outpatient clinics and wards deal with a steady flow of patients, many of whom are anxious or in discomfort discussing symptoms that can feel embarrassing to talk about. That combination of physical demand and emotional labour adds up over a 12-hour shift, and it's one of the reasons small comforts, like workwear that actually moves with you, matter more than they might seem to on paper.
Why comfortable scrubs matter
Scrubs are worn for hours at a time, often through repetitive movement: reaching, bending, standing at a table, then sitting briefly before the next case. A few features make a real difference over that kind of shift:
- Stretch: fabric with genuine give allows full range of movement without pulling at the shoulders or seat.
- Breathability: theatres and clinical areas can run warm, so a fabric that doesn't trap heat helps you stay focused rather than distracted by discomfort.
- Lightweight construction: heavier fabrics add fatigue over a long shift, even if the difference feels small hour to hour.
- Practical pockets: somewhere secure to keep a pen, a badge or a phone without it working loose during movement.
- A fit that works for your body: scrubs that are too tight restrict movement, and scrubs that are too loose can catch on equipment or trolleys, which matters in a theatre setting.
None of this replaces proper staffing or breaks, but it's one of the few things a healthcare worker can control on a hard shift.
Best Happythreads scrubs for long shifts
A few collections in our nursing scrubs range are built specifically with long, active shifts in mind.
Koi Lite
Made from a sportswear-inspired, moisture-wicking fabric with a cool dobby stretch, the Koi Lite collection is designed for staff who are constantly moving. The two-way stretch and ribbed side panels give a full range of motion, which suits theatre work where you're reaching and turning often.
Koi Cureology
For teams who want stretch and breathability without sacrificing colour options, Koi Cureology is worth a look. The collection has recently expanded with lighter colourways, and it's easy to wash and care for between shifts, which matters when scrubs get laundered constantly.
Koi Next Gen
The Koi Next Gen collection uses four-way stretch fabric with a modern, contemporary fit. It's a good option for staff who want scrubs that hold their shape and colour over repeated washes, since theatre and clinical wear goes through the laundry more often than most clothing.
Tips for staying comfortable during a long shift
- Get the fit right first. Sizing charts vary between brands, so check them rather than assuming your usual size carries across.
- Layer with an underscrub in colder theatres. A thin, breathable underscrub layer can help regulate temperature without adding bulk.
- Choose stretch fabrics for physically active roles. If your day involves a lot of bending, reaching or standing at a table, a two-way or four-way stretch fabric will feel noticeably different by hour eight.
- Keep a spare set nearby. Theatre work means spills happen. Having a backup set saves a trip home mid-shift.
- Don't ignore comfortable footwear. Scrubs matter, but so does what you're standing in for 12 hours.
Supporting Urology Awareness Month
Urology teams, nurses, theatre staff, clinical nurse specialists and the wider healthcare professionals who support them, do demanding, often overlooked work. Urology Awareness Month is a good moment to recognise that, and to encourage open conversations about urological health more broadly, since early detection makes a real difference for many of the conditions the campaign covers.
If you're kitting out a urology team or just looking for scrubs that hold up to a full theatre list, have a browse of our healthcare uniforms collection. And if summer heat is part of what makes long shifts harder, our guide to lightweight scrubs for hot weather covers fabric choices in more detail.
FAQ - Urology Awareness Month and Theatre Scrubs
When is Urology Awareness Month?
Urology Awareness Month takes place every September. It is run by The Urology Foundation to raise awareness of urological cancers and conditions such as incontinence, kidney stones and UTIs.
What does a urology nurse or theatre team actually deal with?
Urology teams work across theatre, outpatient clinics and wards, covering procedures for cancers and benign conditions affecting the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Shifts often combine long theatre lists with sensitive patient conversations.
What should I look for in scrubs for long theatre shifts?
Look for stretch fabric that allows full movement, breathable material that won't trap heat, a lightweight feel, practical pockets, and a fit that isn't so loose it catches on equipment.
Are Koi Lite or Koi Next Gen scrubs suitable for theatre work?
Both are designed with stretch and breathability for active roles. Koi Lite uses a two-way stretch, moisture-wicking fabric, while Koi Next Gen offers a four-way stretch with a more contemporary fit.