The future of compassionate care: Nursing students back #hellomynameis campaign

A cohort of nursing students from the University of Northampton has shown their passion for the #hellomynameis campaign by using their last day of study to show their support for the initiative.

The #Hellomynameis campaign was set up by Dr Kate Granger, a hospital consultant from Yorkshire with terminal cancer, who became frustrated with the number of staff who failed to introduce themselves to her when she was in hospital. The campaign is based on the simple premise of reminding staff to go back to basics and introduce themselves to patients properly. Since its launch in 2013, the #Hellomynameis campaign has been backed by NHS organisations and staff across the UK.

The students – who started their undergraduate nursing training in October 2013 and complete their programmes this week – wanted to use their last day on campus to celebrate both their achievements and the life of Dr Kate Granger. At the suggestion of student Vicky Simpson, the class donned their nursing uniforms and held up signs to show their support for the campaign.

The University of Northampton has integrated the #Hellomynameis campaign into teaching across the Adult Nursing, Child Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing and Mental Health Nursing degree programmes. Cindy O’Dell, Senior Lecturer in Nursing, explained: “Northampton nursing students are reminded to treat their patients as individuals, and build a human connection with their patients in order to begin a therapeutic relationship and build trust. We are very proud of our students for undertaking this tribute.”

Dr Granger, who sadly passed away last month, described the campaign as “the first rung on the ladder to providing compassionate care”.