Celebration for Kate a very fitting tribute

Dr Granger, who captured the attention of the nation by writing about her experiences with illness as an NHS patient and had a huge impact on the health world, had planned the celebration before her death and told her husband she wanted “no tears” at the event.

Instead on Saturday at Aspire in Leeds there was a performance from the NHS Choir, dancing and much chance to celebrate Dr Granger who launched the #hellomynameis campaign to promote compassionate care and get medics to introduce themselves to patients after her own experiences.

Dr Granger’s campaign for more personalised and compassionate care has been supported all over the world and 400,000 health workers across 90 organisations are now backing the drive. She was recognised with an MBE and awards including a Special Achievement Award from the BMJ.

Before her death from a rare form of cancer at the age of 34 earlier this year, she also raised over £250,000 for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre in Leeds together with her husband Chris Pointon.

Yesterday he said: “It went really well. I do not think it could have gone better. Everybody had a good time celebrating Kate’s life. I think it was a very fitting tribute, It was how she would have wanted it.”

Calendar news presenter Duncan Wood hosted the event which was in aid of the Moortown hospice where Kate died,

Tracie Harrison, head of individual giving at St Gemma’s, told the Yorkshire Evening Post it was a privilege for staff to meet and care for the consultant, from East Ardsley, near Wakefield, and that every penny donated would be used to provide the highest level of care for patients in the future, as well as support for their family and friends.