Compassion in care campaign hits new milestone

NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Jane Cummings has praised the “Hello My Name Is…” campaign started by terminally ill Dr Kate Granger.

The CNO spoke out as it was revealed that more than 100 NHS organisations have now signed up to the social media campaign launched by the 31 year old hospital consultant. Dr Granger started it as a way of encouraging healthcare professionals to introduce themselves while she has been treated for cancer.

She felt frustrated by staff who failed to tell her their names. As well as the 400,000 doctors, nurses, therapists, porters and receptionists who have signed up to the campaign, Prime Minister David Cameron, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and rock legend Bob Geldof are also supporting her campaign.

“I really hope my legacy will be putting compassionate practice right at the heart of healthcare,” she explained this week on the BBC as the campaign had its collective “big bang” launch. Dr Granger started her push, to improve the patient experience in hospital, shortly after she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer three years ago.

The doctor who informed her that her cancer had spread did not introduce himself to her and did not look her in the eye. She was also dismayed by other staff who failed to introduce themselves when caring for her. She subsequently set up #hellomynameis on Twitter.

Her campaign reminds staff to go back to basics, build trust and make a vital human connection with patients by – at the very least – giving their names. Dr Granger said: “The lack of introductions really made me feel like just a diseased body and not a real person”.

Julie Crossley, a medical negligence lawyer at Ashtons Legal, comments: “this is so simple yet so important and will make a huge difference to patients whatever their condition or illness. To be introduced to a person by name and for them to interact appropriately will make patients feel that they are being treated as individuals.”