Twitter hashtag gathers momentum in encouraging patient care.
A campaign by a terminally ill doctor, Kate Granger is gathering momentum. Kate, who suffers with an aggressive and rare form of cancer, now has over 90 NHS organisations supporting her campaign, which is designed to encourage all NHS staff to introduce themselves to patients.
When we meet someone for the first time, most of us will automatically introduce ourselves. However, Kate’s campaign was instigated as a result of a number of healthcare professionals failing to provide their name or basic details. Speaking on the BBC’s radio 4 programme, Kate commented that “ even the doctor who told her that she had cancer, failed to provide his name”.
The campaign is designed to encourage staff to go back to basics, build up trust and make a vital human connection with their patients. Subsequently, Kate set up the #hellomynameis on twitter. Since setting up the twitter hashtag, over 40,000 healthcare professionals including, doctors, nurses, therapists, receptionists and porters.
Head of clinical negligence at Vincents Solicitors, Carlos Lopez, supports the campaign “ This is a simple but fantastic campaign. All too often, I have acted for clients who feel that they have become nothing more that a commodity or medical condition. Whilst medical staff often act with the best intentions and support, they can easily forget the human nature of illness. When medical accidents occur many patients are left feeling venerable. Failures in basic human contact, such a failing to make a basic introduction by a doctor or nurse, can often add to a patients feeling of frustration. Patients can often leave a consultation with no idea about who treated them or whether the person they saw was a consultant.”
Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, said that the campaign was inspiring.
Kate, herself a Doctor within the NHS, wants to empower patients and hopes the campaign will leave a “legacy for a better health service”.
Olivia Robinson, Head of Serious Injury at Vincents commented “ Having acted for many clients who have required medical treatment following injury or accident, I frequently hear stories of how medical professionals are so focused on the task in hand, that they forget basic social interaction. I support this campaign and hope that more organisations join in.”
Vincents Solicitors supports the #hellomynameis and welcome any ideas that help encourage sympathy, compassion and understanding for those patients requiring medical treatment.
If you or a family member have been affected by Clinical negligence or serious injury call us on 01772 555176 or call into one of our seven offices throughout the Lancashire area.