Surname, first name or preferred name?

We were delighted to receive this e-mail from MG...

On holiday in New Zealand earlier this year, I had to go to the local medical centre. Filling out the registration form I was interested to see

Surname:-

Christian name:-

Preferred name:-

A simple idea, but friendly and relaxing for patients who might, like my wife and myself who are both known by our second names, have to think twice when called. Even more so when coming round from an operation

MG