Like John we have been using Brother labels for a while. Not fantastic but OK.
I can't see any reason why not to put a bar code on. We don't read them either but they look impressive and when a nurse is on the phone it's easy to get her/him to look for the "bright red bar code label".
When I upgrade our system I will have bar codes on the kit, on the pieces of paper, on the guys foreheads and (already have) on the staff ID badges. Must be the way forward.
As an aside I decided to put the minimum info on the label. We have changed our hospital and departmental names and phones several times over the life of some kit. So we just put "Rotherham Health" and the ID as barcode and readable.
