HSE staff members have been informed that they must call patients by their first name only under strict new rules set out by the Health authority.
According to Daily Mail newspaper, the health authority have introduced the new rules as part of a programme that relates to patient care.
It is understood that staff members will be refrained from calling patients dear, love, girls and boys or pet as part of the new guidelines.
Doctors and nursing staff have also been informed that they must not refer to the patient by their bed number but instead they must use their first name.
It is believed that the changes are being implemented in an attempt to stop hospital staff becoming over familiar with patients and in turn provide the right balance when it comes to clinical care.