Worcestershire hospitals #CallMe scheme gets recognised by SIX more NHS Trusts nationwide
It was launched to ensure patients are called by their preferred names
A new initiative developed in Worcestershire’s hospitals which aims to ensure patients are called by their preferred name has gained interest from other NHS Trusts across the country.
The #CallMe scheme sees an additional section added to patients’ hospital identification wrist bracelets and name stickers featuring their preferred name and/or title.
So far, 6,000 patients at Worcestershire Hospitals have had their preferred name attached to their patient wrists bands.
Just a few months since it launched, six NHS Trusts nationwide are now interested in adopting the scheme to role out across their hospitals.
They include:
• Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
• Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Liverpool University Hospital Trust
• University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
• Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
• Sherwood Forest NHS Trust
It was spearheaded by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Consultant Anaesthetist, Dr Michael McCabe.
"The introduction of #CallMe is very simple, but it’s really important", says Dr McCabe.
"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.
"It's much more personalised and is a nice thing to be asked and I think everytime the questions is asked anywhere is a really positive thing.
"I just think why shouldn't we being doing everywhere in the NHS all the time?"
The scheme has also been recognised by the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
In the summer the it won the “Digital Innovation Team of the Year” Award in the summer.
Dr McCabe added: "It's brilliant myself and the team were recognised by the BMJ.
"It's really about throwing it out there and trying to get publicity but also about getting help.
"I hope other people will get on board the train and think they can also do that locally where they are because it has such a psoitive impact on a patient's experiencein hospital."