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Original poster

GP etc Xmas Gift Etiquette

19 replies

Louisalouise · 20/12/2018 19:41

Name change for this as I feel stupid for even worrying/asking about this but anyway.

I am lucky enough to have a lovely GP, also a vet who has also been very good to us this year. We have a good relationship with both.

Would really like to drop off a small xmas gift each tomorrow and chocolates for their receptionists but am unsure if it's allowed?? Are professionals allowed to accept xmas gifts from clients/patients? I am talking a small box of chocs or naice bottle of wine.

Do I simply drop off the gifts at reception?

And should I put a handwritten card in with the presents too?

Not done this before for anyone in a professional role, so any thoughts wouls be appreciated. Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
AtleastitsnotMonday · 20/12/2018 19:48

I always send my gp lovely flowers and a hand written card at Christmas, they are always very well received.

canibehereifimnotamum · 20/12/2018 19:51

Always allowed where I am just got to make of note of it- I work in a dental practice

CherryBlossom23 · 20/12/2018 19:53

My mum always gave her gp a bottle of brandy at Christmas (she was a frequent visitor unfortunately) and he was always very appreciative.

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Original poster
Louisalouise · 20/12/2018 20:00

Thanks everyone...so it looks like it will be ok to gift both the GP and the vet, possibly with a card too.

Stupid question but do I leave the presents with the receptionists and ask them to pass on to the GP/vet? As I say, not done this before so am probably over thinking things rather than just doing.Blush

OP posts:
EvenFlo2 · 20/12/2018 20:02

I’m a medic and I am always really touched to get a card from a patient. It really means a lot - particularly as my patients are all children.

bluefolder · 20/12/2018 20:16

Gp here, presents always appreciated and nice handwritten cards even more so.

No rules except the need to declare anything over £100 which has never happened to me yet!

Original poster
Louisalouise · 20/12/2018 22:43

@bluefolder and @EvenFlo2 thank you for your replies. Reassuring to see I won't be seen as being weird or inappropriate - just polite and appreciative.

OP posts:
Original poster
Louisalouise · 21/12/2018 20:59

I dropped off the presents today, left with the receptionists in both cases, but haven't heard anything. Perhaps I shouldn't have bothered or perhaps some GP's etc don't acknowledge gifts Confused

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2018 21:05

You only gave them today. What sort of response are you expecting?! Confused

I take a box of biscuits to the GP and to the outpatients department where I have my appointments. They say thank you and. I had them over, but that's it.

My oncologist did write me a thank you letter for his gift last year, which was a lovely surprise.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2018 21:05

*when I hand them over

FabulouslyGlamorousFerret · 21/12/2018 21:11

Ooh - this started well, but expecting them to get in touch to say thankyou is all kinds of wrong!

Original poster
Louisalouise · 21/12/2018 21:14

Just feeling a tad down really about Christmas and other stuff. Tired and fed up generally. I appreciate I'm being irrational about this though.

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2018 21:17

Sorry that you're feeling down. I hope you feel better soon. It was a kind gesture, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect any sort of response, I'm afraid. That doesn't mean they don't appreciate your gift Xmas Smile

CommunistLegoBloc · 21/12/2018 21:18

Nice of you to give them something but I’m not sure how appropriate it would be for a GP to access your personal records in order to thank you. I also think they will have had a very busy day and it won’t have been a priority. I’m sure they’re very touched though :)

Crunchymum · 21/12/2018 21:18

I don't think it's at all fair to expect a thank you (especially from the GP).

Are you expecting them to access your records to get your number to send you a thank you message or are they meant to put a note on your record to thank you at your next appointment.

Your gift was very kind and would have been appreciated, but you really shouldn't expect a thank you Confused

Wandastartup · 21/12/2018 21:46

They may well write a letter( I try to!)

Hiphopopotamous · 21/12/2018 21:55

Of course I'd love a small gift but honestly a nice card saying I'd done something good would be perfect - firstly we don't get many compliments in the NHS and also it's nice to put in our appraisals each year :-)
(GP)

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/12/2018 22:02

No rules except the need to declare anything over £100 which has never happened to me yet

Our Trust is over £25 we have to have authorised to accept .
And all gifts have to be declared via online form (though these do count to our appraisals ) if it's chocolates or biscuits then we just fill that bit in.

Card or message to Head of Service to pay compliment is lovely . I honestly do not expect presents , they are lovely though.

bluefolder · 21/12/2018 22:03

I do tend to write a thank you letter but jot on the same day!

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