STAFF at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust heard about the importance of introducing themselves to their patients when an international campaigner paid them a visit.

Chris Pointon, who founded the #hellomynameis campaign alongside his wife, Dr Kate Granger, told his personal and emotional story to staff across the trust when he visited Basingstoke hospital as part of a global tour.

Kate was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at the age of 29 and over the next five years, until she died in 2016, she saw healthcare and the NHS through the eyes of a patient and was shocked that not everyone looking after her introduced themselves before delivering care.

She and Chris decided to start the #hellomynameis campaign to raise awareness of the issue and encourage healthcare staff to introduce themselves to patients at the start of every interaction.

On his visit, Chris spoke about his life with Kate and how the campaign has progressed to packed rooms at all three hospitals run by the trust, with staff at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and Andover War Memorial Hospital watching via a live video stream.

Chris said: “I enjoyed my visit to Hampshire Hospitals and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported me by coming along to hear me talk, either in person or via the video link. Thank you to all of the staff at the Trust for doing what they do every day and for supporting our campaign.

“I’m more than halfway through my global tour now and it is going really well. Doing this was something Kate and I talked about and it’s great to know that I’m doing something she would have wanted me to do, while continuing to spread the word and tell our story.”

Donna Green, chief nurse at Hampshire Hospitals, added: “It was a huge honour to welcome Chris to Hampshire Hospitals and hear his amazing and inspiring story.

“I know he has had a profound effect on many of the people who heard him speak and as a Trust, we are committed to making sure that we all say ‘hello my name is’ to each and every patient and visitor that we come into contact with.”

Visit www.hellomynameis.com for more information about the campaign.