A CAMPAIGN to encourage health workers to introduce themselves to patients has been backed in Bradford.

Kate Granger's "Hello, my name is..." scheme, described as "inspiring" by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, is now being supported by around 90 NHS organisations across the UK.

The West Yorkshire-based consultant started the scheme around two years ago by tweeting using the hashtag '#hellomynameis'.

The 31-year-old was receiving treatment for cancer when she made the "stark observation" that many staff did not introduce themselves.

When she returned to Yorkshire, the cancer was diagnosed as a rare type of sarcoma, which attacks the tissue supporting internal organs.

Her campaign has gathered support from across the country, with 400,000 doctors, nurses, therapists, receptionists and porters backing her drive to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable talking about their symptoms.

Bradford District Care Trust has more than 50 Care Maker Trust ambassadors, who work across all services in clinical and non-clinical posts.

They use "Hello, my name is" each day.

Other schemes include the Trust's 140 staff working across six administration hubs, where each call handler greets the caller with their name.

Heath visiting teams at the Bowling Hall and Rooley Lane Medical Centres have also lent their support.

Kerry Bennett, the Trust's quality, health and innovation lead, said: "The #hellomynameis campaign supports the national agenda around dignity and compassion in practice.

"Everyone is supporting Dr Granger’s powerful campaign from student nurses to the chief nurse."

Bradford Council's portfolio holder for adult services and health, Councillor Amir Hussain, said he would look to see if the local authority could also support the positive campaign.

He added: "Anything that attempts to promote the relationship people have with doctors and the NHS, is something I'm more than happy to support.

"We would definitely look to get on board with it. There is no harm in looking into it."

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is currently not on the list of NHS organisations officially approached to give their backing, but still supports the project.

Dr Granger, who works at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, has joined forces with Listening Into Action - a programme to remove bureaucracy and empower staff to improve patient care.

The first major partnership is with her own employer, The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Dr Granger, who works at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, has been treated with debilitating palliative chemotherapy and was due to start her latest round of treatment yesterday.