Major milestone reached for ‘Hello My Name Is…’ campaign

More than 100 NHS organisations have now signed up to the ‘Hello My Name Is…’ campaign, established by terminally ill consultant Dr Kate Granger. 

The 31-year-old hospital consultant started the campaign as a way to encourage healthcare professionals to introduce themselves – an issue she noticed during her treatment for cancer, interacting with many health service professionals. 

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 have supported the campaign. 

Dr Granger said: “The lack of introductions really made me feel like just a diseased body and not a real person. 

“When someone did introduce themselves,” she said, “it really did make a difference to how comfortable I was and less lonely I was in hospital.” 

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals, where Dr Granger is now working, were the first to sign up and the movement spread from there. 

Jane Cummings, the chief nursing officer for England, who has been driving compassion in care through the 6Cs campaign, said: “I have huge respect for Kate Granger and what she’s provoking in us is so evident in her ‘Hello My Name Is’ campaign. 

“Little things make the big difference to people in our care who may feel vulnerable. Building a relationship starts with those of us that provide care. One of the first things to do is introduce yourself. A climate of even more person focused care starts with an introduction.” 

At last year’s NHS Expo, NHS England launched the inaugural Kate Granger Compassionate Care Awards in her honour. Following on from this the campaign has gone from strength to strength, and we just want to say congratulations to Kate.

(Image: c. NHS Confederation) 

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