Briefing Note: Slip-Resistant Footwear in the NHS
Summary: Slip incidents are a leading cause of staff injury in the NHS. Where floors cannot be kept consistently dry or free from contamination, footwear must be treated as a safety control. National guidance recommends slip-resistant footwear, but there is currently no defined performance standard and no active rating scheme.
This briefing note examines slip-resistant footwear in the NHS, including current guidance, evidence from the SSHeW study, and the absence of a defined performance standard or rating scheme. It outlines how NHS organisations can verify slip resistance and make more informed procurement decisions.
National guidance recommends slip-resistant footwear, but there is currently no defined performance standard and no active rating scheme.
In the SSHeW trial, most everyday footwear bought by staff performed poorly, while higher-performing shoes provided to them reduced slips by 63%.
The 37% who slipped weren't wearing them at the time!
Neospire’s approach enables Trusts to move from recommending slip-resistant footwear to specifying and verifying it.
For NHS & Healthcare Organisations
Slip incidents are a leading cause of staff injury in healthcare environments. Where floors cannot be kept consistently dry or free from contamination, footwear must be treated as a safety control.
National guidance recommends slip-resistant footwear, but there is currently no defined performance standard and no active rating scheme. As a result, procurement decisions are often made without a clear, measurable way to verify slip resistance.
Neospire® SoleXT™ provides a practical way to measure and specify slip performance, enabling NHS organisations to move from guidance to evidence-based decision making.
What this enables
Using SoleXT testing, Trusts can:
• Verify slip resistance of footwear before procurement
• Define minimum performance thresholds aligned to risk
• Compare products on a consistent, evidence-based basis
• Support classification of footwear as PPE where performance controls risk
This creates a more robust and defensible approach to footwear selection, particularly in higher-risk areas such as wards, theatres, kitchens, and facilities roles.
How we support NHS organisations
We work with Trusts and procurement teams to:
• Test footwear currently in use or under consideration
• Provide independent, evidence-based performance data
• Support development of internal specifications for slip-resistant footwear
• Advise on how SoleXT testing can be incorporated into procurement and tender processes
This includes supporting the definition of measurable requirements that suppliers can be asked to meet and evidence as part of tender submissions.
Engagement and next steps
We can support initial discussions, presentations, or workshops with health and safety, estates, and procurement teams to explore how slip risk can be more effectively managed through footwear.
Most organisations begin by reviewing a small number of commonly used or proposed footwear models to establish current performance and inform next steps.
Cost and practical starting point
Introducing slip-resistance verification does not need to create a significant cost burden for NHS organisations.
In practice, testing can be incorporated into procurement processes, with suppliers expected to provide evidence of performance as part of their submission. Neospire can support this by providing independent testing and verification where required.
Most organisations begin by reviewing a small number of commonly used or proposed footwear models to understand current performance and inform next steps.
For suppliers seeking to test and evidence their products, further information is available on the manufacturer page.