The importance of communication

The remarkable #hellomynameis campaign was established in 2013 by Dr Kate Granger, who following an admission to hospital for cancer treatment noticed a fundamental aspect of communication was being missed: health professionals were failing to introduce themselves before providing her care. One of the most basic steps in effective communication was being overlooked. Dr Granger started the #hellomynameis campaign, initially using social media, with an aim to encourage and remind health-care staff about the importance of introductions and friendly communication in a health-care environment (Granger, 2016).

Student midwives spend 3 years on a pre-registration midwifery programme, learning the basic principles of how to be a midwife, being introduced to women as a student midwife, and being accompanied by a midwifery mentor. Then the day arrives when you turn up to work, with a badge that says ‘midwife’, a uniform that identifies you as a midwife and legal documentation to permit you to work as a midwife. No more student title, no more midwifery mentor, no more exams or assignment deadlines to meet… you have passed!