Perhaps politicians and health leaders could #sayhellotopatients?

Launer encourages clinicians to acknowledge every patient they pass, making eye contact “if not actually saying hello every time.”1While I recognise the positive impact making eye contact and acknowledging patients could bring, the article does not recognise how damaged and demoralised the current NHS workforce is. The condition of urgent and emergency care means that patients often spend prolonged periods of time held in places they shouldn’t be—this might include outside hospitals in ambulances, in corridors, or crammed into waiting rooms full beyond their capacity.In this environment every consultation becomes a source of shame and starts with an apology—I’m sorry I can’t get you into the department, I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long, I’m sorry we don’t have a bed for you. This leaves clinicians with a burden of moral injury and need for self-preservation. Making eye contact with more people only increases the interactions that remind us…
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