The U.K. health secretary told an international conference on patient safety that health was one of the last professions yet to fully adopt the use of first names. He believes medicine’s strict hierarchy prevents junior staff from speaking up when they notice disasters unfolding and that doing away with formality in operation rooms and other settings can save lives. This reflects the story of Martin Bromiley, a British Airways pilot who’s wife died during surgery because a nurse was afraid to speak up. Bromiley now lectures NHS hospitals on how to break down hierarchies. He encourages clinicians to adopt a "no blame" culture adopted by the aviation industry since the 1970s, which has been associated with a significant improvement in safety. He explains how, in his work as an airline captain, he always insists the crew refer to him by his first name to feel more comfortable voicing concerns.
NBHC Care Experience