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Inspirational #hellomynameis founder brings campaign to student nurses

Thursday 25 January 2018

THE HUSBAND of an inspirational doctor who started a campaign to transform healthcare after developing terminal cancer has told trainee nurses about the importance of personal patient care.

Chis Pointon, who co-founded the #hellomynameis campaign alongside his wife Dr Kate Granger, spoke to student nurses at the University of Salford about the difference that can be made when healthcare professionals introduce themselves to patients.    

The pair started the campaign after Kate developed a rare cancer and was shocked to discover that as a patient many of the nurses and doctors she came across did not introduce themselves and even had conversations among themselves while treating her.    

They started the #hellomynameis campaign encouraging all healthcare professionals to develop better relationships with their patients by seeing them as people – and making small steps by ensuring they introduce themselves properly.    

Global phenomenon

Chris continued to campaign for this following his wife’s death in July 2016 and although it started on social media, it has now developed into a global phenomenon and been endorsed by politicians including Theresa May.    

He said: “Throughout the evolution of #hellomynameis we focus on patient care being at the forefront of what we do along with making interactions on any level and in any setting more of a human connection as this is the first rung on the ladder of communication.    

“The practicalities of what this involves are fairly straight forward however it can lead to a much more therapeutic relationship.”

The University of Salford’s School of Health and Society is one of the largest trainers of nurses and midwives in the north of England, using state of the art simulation suites to provide students with realistic experiences of a wide range of medical scenarios before they take part in placements  in  hospital wards.  

The event was organised by the University’s Nursing Society with additional support provided by the University’s Photography Society.  

Importance of compassionate care

"We always instill in our students the importance of compassionate care, good communication, and always remembering that the patient in the bed in front of you is a person"      

Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford, said: “This session had a huge relevance for anyone who wants to become a healthcare  professional.    

“We always instill in our students the importance of compassionate care, good communication, and always remembering that the patient in the bed in front of you is a person, but hearing it first hand from the husband of someone who has experienced this was an incredibly powerful experience.  

“I was personally fortunate enough to present along with Kate several years ago at a conference on nursing leadership, and her approach, experience and words had a profound impact on all who heard her speak – just as Chris’s words did today.”

Find out more

Conrad Astley

T: +44(0) 161 295 6363 / m +44(0) 7535 103 663