#CallMe scheme sees patients at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals called by preferred name
Patients will wear bracelets with what they want to be called written on them
A new project at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will see patients called by their preferred names.
The simple #CallMe initiative will see an additional section added to patients’ hospital identification wrist bracelets and name stickers featuring their preferred name and/or title.
The #CallMe project was spearheaded by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Consultant Anaesthetist, Dr Michael McCabe.
Dr McCabe said: “The introduction of #CallMe is very simple, but it’s really important.
"We hope that it will give comfort and reassurance to patients that we respect their identity by addressing them with their preferred name and not assuming that they are most comfortable using their formal birth forename.
“Whilst the elderly may wish to be addressed formally, others may use a middle name, an abbreviation or even a separate name not necessarily a part of their formal identification data.”
"I also hope it will help transgender people who are currently going through their transition who may be called a different name too".
The Trust is the first in the UK to implement the project to ensure people feel comfortable in the hospital environment.
Deputy Chief Nurse, Jackie Edwards added: “We are delighted to be introducing this project, which highlights what is important to us at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals, NHS Trust - putting patients first.
“Ensuring we are communicating with our patients using their preferred name is a valuable step in providing person-centred patient care, and helps us to develop a strong relationship with our patients".