The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is joining a massive social media movement launched by a terminally ill doctor from the north of England.
The ‘Hello my name is…’ campaign was spearheaded by Dr Kate Granger, a young hospital consultant from Yorkshire who works in elderly care, to improve the patient experience not only here in the UK, but across the world. Kate became frustrated with the number of staff who failed to introduce themselves to her when she was in hospital. Her campaign on social media platform Twitter is inspiring nurses, doctors, therapists, receptionists, porters, domestics and staff in all roles.
Dr Granger, 33, has terminal cancer, and has made it her mission in whatever time she has left to get as many members of NHS staff as possible pledging to introduce themselves to their patients.
This campaign is simple – reminding staff to go back to basics and introduce themselves to patients properly. Kate talks about this as “the first rung on the ladder to providing compassionate care” and sees it as the start of making a vital human connection, beginning a therapeutic relationship and building trust between patients and healthcare staff.
Prof. Matt Makin, Medical Director and Mrs. Angela Hopkins, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery said: “We are delighted to support this campaign, which highlights the importance of treating patients as people and shows how the smallest things can make the biggest difference. As well as asking staff to tell their patient’s their names, we’re also reminding them to introduce colleagues who are taking over an individual’s care following a shift change. That way, our patients and their families will always know who is looking after them, which in turn will help them to relax and feel safe while in our care”.
“We are also reminding staff to ask the patient how they wish to be addressed and ensure their name badges are visible at all times.”
We have joined forces with more than 80 NHS organisations across the U.K. that have pledged to boost their own ‘Hello my name is…’ campaign. In our Health Board alone we have over 16,000 staff working with over one million patients each year. That’s how many lives can be impacted by this as it spreads.”
Find about more about the campaign
Cwm Taf University Health Board is the only other health board in Wales so far to join the campaign.
The Welsh Ambulance Service and NHS Direct Wales and Public Health Wales are also supporting the campaign.
