Southern DHB to launch ‘Hello my name is’ campaign

Monday 28 August, 2017

Southern DHB to launch ‘Hello my name is’ campaign

The simple act of introducing yourself is the inspiration behind the ‘Hello my name is’ campaign, being launched by Southern DHB today, in an effort to better connect with patients.

The ‘Hello my name is’ campaign was initiated by a UK geriatrician, Kate Granger, who sadly passed away from terminal cancer in August 2016. When she was a patient she realised staff often didn’t introduce themselves – a missing communication step she felt had a major impact. Subsequently, she launched a social media campaign which gained international momentum and the initiative has since been implemented in over 100 hospitals in the UK and internationally.

Kate posted her feelings about this on her website: “Introductions are about making a human connection between one human being who is suffering and vulnerable, and another human being who wishes to help. They begin therapeutic relationships and can instantly build trust in difficult circumstances.”

To carry on Kate’s legacy and improve interaction with patients, Southern DHB Registered Medical Officers Jenny Dodds and Karen Hodge launched the campaign throughout the Southern district.

“The campaign has been a true inspiration,” says Jenny, who, with Karen and an eager team of colleagues, set out across the district and filmed around 300 staff and patients introducing themselves. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, and access the human side of what can be very clinical settings. By promoting this campaign throughout Southern DHB, I hope we’ve gained enough momentum to have a long-lasting impact.”

This impact, intended to improve patient experience and build trust, has been received positively by Dunedin Hospital patient Andrea Brown:
“I’ve been coming into hospital off and on since April this year and the doctors always come up and say who they are. Somehow it breaks down a barrier, which I think is comforting for the patient. Even the consultants are very open about who they are and I think it’s made me more relaxed and I’m probably more open with them as a result.”

As part of the campaign, a film has been produced showcasing how this initiative has impacted staff and patients throughout the Southern district.
“We hope the film continues to spread the message of this campaign – not just in a hospital setting – but in everyday life,” says Jenny. “It’s such a simple act, but can have an enormous impact.”

Layla Hehir a fellow Registered Medical Officer will be coordinating a bake sale in support of the ‘Hello my name is’ campaign, which will start at 9am on Monday 28 August, in the Dunedin Hospital foyer. The proceeds will be going to the Otago Community Hospice.

Watch the ‘Hello my name is’ film here. To find out more about this international campaign, view the ‘Hello my name is’ website.

-ENDS-

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