Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has introduced personalised name badges on doctors' medical hats to help patients easily identify their caregivers. This innovative approach was developed by Danielle Checketts, a former healthcare professional who experienced misidentification firsthand during her surgical training.
The new reusable theatre hats, currently being trialled in the orthopaedic theatres at Musgrove Park Hospital, feature prominent name badges, enhancing communication between patients and medical staff. The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust highlighted that patients have expressed a strong desire to clearly know who is providing their care.
Danielle Checketts, founder of hospital clothing company Eco Ninjas, shared that entering a theatre department can be intimidating—especially when patients cannot recognise the staff treating them. Drawing from her own experience of undergoing a C-section, she recalled feeling anxious when she could not identify the surgeon and anaesthetist once in the operating room. “I struggled to find a familiar face amidst the sea of blue scrubs and caps,” she explained, underscoring the importance of trust and recognition in medical settings.
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Orthopaedic consultant Andy Stevenson praised the initiative, emphasizing the benefits for staff, patients, and visitors alike. “The hats simplify the process of knowing who is who and clarifying their roles,” he said. He also pointed out the environmental benefits of switching from disposable plastic hats to reusable ones that can be used hundreds or thousands of times, becoming more comfortable with wear.
Stevenson highlighted the challenge of high staff turnover in operating theatres, which often means working alongside many new colleagues. “Knowing names and roles helps build rapport and reduces confusion during critical procedures,” he added.
The initiative received positive feedback from patients via the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s social media channels. One patient, who had orthopaedic surgery at Musgrove Park Hospital, praised the name badges: “It was lovely to know immediately who I was speaking to and their role. It felt very reassuring.”
The Trust is now exploring expanding the scheme across other facilities, including operating theatres at Minehead and West Mendip hospitals.