NHS Conference, Parliament Date & More
Putting patients at the heart of surgical communication — our biggest week yet
Listening to Patients: Insights from Leeds
Last week, we joined a Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) session with the Patient Carer Community, led by Jools Symons, PPIE Manager and Lived Experience Network Lead at the University of Leeds. Over 90 minutes, we listened to patients share honest, moving accounts of what matters most before, during, and after surgery.
What Patients Told Us
Before Surgery
Fear and anxiety are common. Introductions are rushed and hard to remember under medication or stress. Patients said that visible names and roles bring a sense of safety and human connection.
During Surgery (when awake)
An intensely vulnerable moment. Patients shared that clear names and roles in easy-to-locate positions would help them feel cared for rather than processed.
After Surgery
Many patients leave theatre without knowing who looked after them, which can feel impersonal. They described feeling grateful yet guilty for forgetting names — something visible identification helps avoid.
Across all stages, the message was unmistakable: patients want clarity, reassurance, and human connection. Due to the success of this meeting, we have been asked to run another focus group next week — we will share those insights too.
Why This Matters Beyond the Operating Theatre
Our team met with senior surgical and midwifery leaders and Parliamentary advisors to explore the national impact of visible identification. A key insight — echoed by everyone, including the surgeon leading the Somerset pilot and midwifery manager Kathryn Harrison from Swindon — was that while cost and environmental benefits are important, the greatest impact is human.
Patients feel calmer, more informed, and safer when they can see who is caring for them. Staff feel more visible, valued, and connected. International colleagues, trainees, and those from diverse cultural or religious backgrounds say that clear identification helps foster confidence, teamwork, and civility.
These themes highlight what truly underpins high-quality healthcare: safety, dignity, civility, and human connection. Sustainability remains central to our work, but it is the human stories that propel this movement forward.
This Week's Activity
On 8th January, Danielle recorded a vodcast with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health — whose internationally recognised model for quality and patient-centred care continues to inspire healthcare systems worldwide. Joined by Elizabeth Fitzhugh, Net Zero Lead at UHCW and former theatre manager, they traced the journey from 2020 to today, discussing the significant limitations of embroidered caps and why reusable badge hats offer a far more scalable, NHS-aligned solution.
We also attended an NHS conference at Edgbaston, and are excited to be attending the NHS programme accelerator in Leeds, where we will continue exploring how Eco Ninjas can expand its reach and support more trusts on the road to national and international growth.
Looking Ahead to Westminster
As we prepare for our Parliamentary meeting on 15 April, we remain focused on priorities shaped by those who understand clinical environments best: patient safety and experience, workforce engagement and inclusivity, and sustainability.
We are incredibly grateful to every patient, clinician, and team who has shared their experiences with us. From Somerset and Swindon to Leeds, your voices guide our work. This work has always been about people. It always will be. And this is only the beginning.
