Nurses pay tribute to inspirational Kate Granger

Dr Kate Granger, whose #Hellomynameis campaign helped change the face of patient care, has died after reaching £250k fundraising target

A terminally-ill doctor who inspired legions of nurses to change their practice with her influential campaign to humanise patient care has died, aged 34.

Consultant in elderly medicine Kate Granger died on Saturday at St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds with her husband Chris Pointon by her side, five years after being diagnosed with cancer.

In 2013, Dr Granger created the memorable #Hellomynameis campaign, drawing on her own hospital experiences to call on healthcare staff to introduce themselves to patients.

Tireless campaigning

After years of tireless campaigning, Dr Granger achieved her goal of raising £250,000 for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre last Wednesday.

Nurses paid tribute to Dr Granger across social media, including England’s chief nursing officer Jane Cummings, who said she was ‘inspirational’.

Ms Cummings said: ‘Kate won’t be forgotten. Together with her husband Chris, [she] made a massive impact on those of us who work in health and care across the UK and internationally.

‘Her honesty, courage, grace and determination to share her experiences of living with a terminal illness have enabled many to learn and speak openly about death and, in particular, the need to improve communication and compassionate care.

‘The world, the NHS and the health and care system are a better place because of Kate.’

An inspiration

Writing on the Nursing Standard Facebook page, Helen Meehan said: ‘She was an inspiration.

‘I remember those days when a consultant stood at the side of the bed and pontificated.

‘Hopefully now we aim to be more open and actually talk to patients as people. My mantra is – treat and manage patients as I would wish [myself] and my family treated.’

Kettering General Hospital bank nurse Annie Lennox wrote: ‘A true hero lost, but may the campaign carry on with more strength.’

Another legacy of Dr Granger's work will be the annual Kate Granger Compassionate Care Awards, set up by NHS England and NHS Employers in 2014.

The first winner of a compassionate care award was a group of teenage cancer nurses from the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust's teenage and young adult service.

NHS Employers chief executive Danny Mortimer said: ‘We are all deeply saddened at the passing of Dr Kate Granger.

‘Kate was a truly remarkable and inspirational individual who openly shared her daily battles with cancer, providing a source of strength and inspiration to countless people.

‘Kate used her experiences to pioneer the #HellomyNameis campaign to remind staff to see patients as people.

Huge difference to patients

‘The campaign has been adopted across the country, making a huge difference to patients.’

In one of her final tweets, Dr Granger paid tribute to the hospice nurses caring for her.

'The nurses are so amazing here,' she wrote. 'I've never had to undress in front of strangers before for a bath or shower. But they make it easier.'

One nurse writing on Twitter summed up the general mood and tone of tributes being paid to Dr Granger.

James Paget Hospital transformation nurse Joan Pons Laplana tweeted: 'Kate Granger [has] changed health care – and the world – for the better. Thank you.'

Dr Granger was made an MBE for her services to the NHS in the 2015 New Year Honours.