Hello my name is nhs pmva de escalation violence reduction

Hello, My Name Is…”: How a simple NHS introduction supports PMVA, de-escalation and violence reduction

Across the NHS, violence and aggression towards staff remains a significant and growing concern. From acute hospitals to mental health services, community care and emergency departments, staff are increasingly expected to manage distress, frustration and challenging behaviour — often in highly pressured environments.

Yet one of the most effective PMVA and violence reduction strategies in the NHS begins with just four words:

“Hello, my name is…”

This simple phrase sits at the heart of compassionate care — but it also plays a critical role in conflict prevention, de-escalation and restraint reduction when used consistently and well.

The NHS origins of “Hello, My Name Is…”

The Hello My Name Is campaign was launched in 2013 by Dr Kate Granger, an NHS doctor who experienced care as a patient during cancer treatment.

Kate noticed that many interactions lacked basic introductions. Staff were clinically skilled, but communication was often rushed, task-focused and impersonal.

Her insight was simple — and directly relevant to PMVA practice:

When people don’t know who you are, uncertainty increases — and uncertainty drives distress, resistance and escalation.

The campaign spread rapidly because it addressed a foundational issue in healthcare safety: how communication influences behaviour

Why this matters for PMVA and NHS violence reduction

In PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression), prevention always comes before management.

NHS guidance, professional standards and best practice all emphasise that:

• physical intervention should be a last resort
• early de-escalation is a core competency
• restrictive practices should be minimised
• staff must use reasonable, proportionate and defensible actions

What is sometimes missed is that poor communication is itself a risk factor for violence and aggression.

Patients and service users may already be experiencing:

• fear, pain or distress
• mental ill-health or cognitive impairment
• trauma histories
• loss of control or autonomy
• confusion about what is happening or why

When staff approach without clear introductions, explanation or rapport, the perceived threat increases — making escalation more likely.

From a PMVA perspective, “Hello, my name is…” acts as an early preventative control.

“Hello, my name is…” as a PMVA de-escalation skill

In GoodSense PMVA and conflict management training, rapport is not viewed as optional — it is a core de-escalation technique.

A proper introduction:

• humanises the staff member
• reduces fear of the unknown
• supports emotional regulation
• lowers the likelihood of resistance
• reduces the need for restrictive interventions

This aligns directly with:

• PMVA frameworks
• de-escalation models
• trauma-informed care
• least restrictive practice principles
• NHS violence reduction strategies

In short, people are far less likely to become aggressive towards someone they recognise as a calm, respectful human being.

Practical PMVA communication techniques that reduce incidents

“Hello, my name is…” is most effective when embedded into everyday PMVA practice, not treated as a standalone slogan.

1. Name, role and purpose (PMVA baseline)

“Hello, my name is Jamie. I’m one of the nurses on the ward. I’m here to talk through what’s happening next and make sure you’re okay.”

This reduces uncertainty — one of the biggest drivers of aggression in NHS settings.

2. Early emotional acknowledgement

“I can see this feels overwhelming — that’s understandable.”

Emotion acknowledgement is a recognised de-escalation technique that helps prevent escalation into aggression.

3. Appropriate choice and collaboration

“Would you prefer to talk here or somewhere quieter?”

Choice restores a sense of control, which is critical in violence and aggression prevention.

4. Use the person’s name consistently

Using someone’s name reinforces dignity and respect — particularly important in mental health, learning disability and acute care environments.

5. Slow the first interaction

From a PMVA risk perspective, rushing early engagement often leads to incidents later.
The first 30 seconds can prevent the next restraint.

Supporting restraint reduction and least restrictive practice

NHS services are under increasing scrutiny to demonstrate:

• restraint reduction
• use of least restrictive interventions
• proactive violence prevention
• defensible PMVA decision-making

Clear introductions and rapport-building:

• reduce incident frequency
• improve cooperation
• support safer disengagement
• reduce reliance on physical intervention
• protect staff and patient wellbeing

Importantly, they also strengthen legal and ethical defensibility, showing that staff took reasonable, proportionate steps to prevent escalation before moving into management strategies.

A simple phrase with powerful safety impact

Dr Kate Granger’s legacy reminds us that compassion and safety are not opposites — they are partners.

In the context of PMVA and NHS violence reduction, “Hello, my name is…” remains one of the most effective, low-cost, evidence-informed tools available to NHS teams.

At GoodSense, our PMVA, de-escalation and conflict resolution training helps organisations embed these principles into real-world practice, supporting:

• safer staff responses
• reduced incidents of violence and aggression
• restraint reduction
• confident, legally defensible decision-making

Because the safest interventions often begin with a conversation — not a hold.