New yellow name badges introduced at hospital

Staff working face-face with patients at hospitals in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole and those working across the Trust’s community services are now wearing the new name badges.

It comes after comments from patients that they did not know always the name of the member of staff caring for them.

The badges are bright yellow with large black writing which makes them clear and easy to read. They feature the staff member’s name and job title so patients and their relatives are clear about who they are talking to and who is treating them.

Tara Filby, deputy chief nurse, said: “We listen to feedback from patients and always strive to make improvements based on their comments where we can. A common theme in complaints around communication was that patients didn’t know the name of the member of staff caring for them.

“We wanted something simple that would be clearly visible for patients and visitors to read which will support good communication. We chose yellow badges with black writing as this is widely recognised as being highly readable for everyone, including people with visual impairments.”

Staff will still wear their standard Trust ID badges but these can be hard to read.

The rollout of the new badges is just one initiative the Trust is implementing to improve staff communication. Earlier this year hundreds of staff pledged their support to a national campaign which encourages healthcare professionals to introduce themselves to their patients.

A total of 846 people, from porters to directors, domestics to consultants, pledged their support for the #hellomynameis campaign launched by terminally ill cancer patient Dr Kate Granger.

She experienced first-hand what it is like to be a patient. In her online blog she said one of the starkest observations on the quality of her care had been that not every member of staff who approached her introduced themselves. She is now campaigning for this to change and for healthcare professionals across the country to embrace #hellomynameis

Dr Karen Dunderdale chief nurse, said: “Saying hello my name is only takes a second of our time and yet it can make the world of difference. It can help install confidence, help build relationships and it can break down barriers.”