Any GP surgery staff on here?

[Autumnal38]

Your opinion/ideas needed, please.

Am wanting to show appreciation for our local Dr's clerical/reception team.

They've been exceptional all through the past 9 months, despite working under extreme pressure.

The medics (rightly) get a lot of recognition and Xmas gifts, but it seems the others not so much.

I expect the surgery's already awash with gift tins of biscuits and chocolates, so did think a small DIY fruit hamper (with morale-boosting letter) might make a welcome change?

Not sure what's deemed Covid-safe, though, in such a vulnerable setting.

Thoughts?

Not GP staff, but ours wouldn't accept anything this year due to Covid.

However, they are very much looking forwards to the cupcakes from a local baker when this is all over.

@RaffertyBear,

Yes, I suspected may be the case.
Will re-think.

Nice idea re your local bakery cupcakes!

Send an email telling them !!

They get paid dont they?

Some drinks? Like fancy coffee, tea, cordial? Individual nice little cartons or cans? Make a change from chocs but maybe less of an issue than fruit?

Not a fruit basket. We got one this Christmas and chucked most of it out unfortunately. A satsuma at the bottom was completely blue mouldy.

GP staff here, we’re not allowed tins of open biscuits etc due to covid risk (all the hands in the same tin!) so stuff that is individually wrapped would be better. I’m not sure a fruit basket would be any better.
A letter is always lovely. The idea of individual drinks is nice too.
And also, yes we get paid, but it’s always nice to be shown appreciation. It’s something we don’t always get. And any little boost is appreciated

I have the staff at the vaccine clinic a Costa card so they could get a hot drink in their break - is there a coffee or sandwich place near the surgery?

@Arnoldthecat

They get paid dont they?

But being shown a bit of appreciation is such a morale booster isn't it.

I get paid to do my job, but having my boss tell me that she appreciates me makes my day.

Are you always this negative?

Its not being negative. Its a statement of fact.

Bonkers to see someone begrudging NHS staff a box of bloody biscuits the year of a global pandemic. Honestly.

We've accepted boxes of biscuits and chocolates. We put them in an unused room for a few days and sanitise our hands afterwards. None of us has had coronovirus from accepting gifts showing our lovely patient's appreciation of what we do.

Personally I would like tea like Assam, Lapsang Souchong, Rwandan or Ceylon as would one of the GP's.

Although it's a popular gift to give on MN we wouldn't want hand cream.

We have given excess boxes of biscuits to staff who have vaccinated us against coronovirus and to the ambulance crews who thoroughly clean the ambulances after ferrying coronovirus patients to hospital. It's nice to share.

A letter or card showing appreciation is also lovely and goes towards evidence for appraisals.

I work in a GP surgery and any card, food etc goes down very well.

Well known patients do get us tins of biscuits and stuff.

@Arnoldthecat

Its not being negative. Its a statement of fact.

And rather joyless

@Arnoldthecat
They get paid don't they?
Its not being negative. Its a statement of fact.
Yes but what's the point of those statements?

@LividLover

Bonkers to see someone begrudging NHS staff a box of bloody biscuits the year of a global pandemic. Honestly.

True. But GPs have had it easier this year than any other as three have voluntarily said themselves. Working from home, less people being seen.

Well I’m a GP and I haven’t found it easier. Different certainly and there’s no doubt whatsoever that I’ve had it easier than my hospital colleagues. But I deal with more people in a day than I did pre pandemic (all of whom still need clinical decisions making, whether they’re in the room with me or down the phone line), and we’re trying to manage a lot of problems which are usually managed in secondary care but where treatment has been delayed. All the patients are unhappy. I don’t have a full waiting room but my job certainly isn’t easier.

But actually, whether GPs in general deserve a present or not isn’t really relevant. The OP feels her surgery and their staff are deserving and she wants to show that, which is lovely and gives staff a boost. We would accept a fruit basket- fruit can be washed after it’s taken so actually less risky than shared biscuits etc. But actually the thing that would give the biggest boost would be a card or letter outlining what you have said in your post, and mentioning non clinical staff in particular.

Thank you OP, it’s a kind thought and will be appreciated.

(Am so sorry for delay in replying: tech issues)

Thanks, all, for your input.

Have decided on handwritten letter and a selection (safely, individually packaged bags and sachets) of fancy teas/herbal teas/posh hot chocolate etc.

The little independent coffee place round the corner was doing takeaway cups from the doorway, and a pre-paid voucher would have been nice so the staff could choose their own...but I'm told they've closed, anticipating our Tier 4 area likely tightening restrictions now.

Appreciated your views.

That’s lovely!

[quote Izzabellasasperella]@Arnoldthecat
They get paid don't they?
Its not being negative. Its a statement of fact.
Yes but what's the point of those statements?[/quote]
Exactly. Everyone is aware they get paid, so why bother saying it?
It's nice to give recognition where it's due. They'd love something thoughtful I'm sure.

And massive thanks to all those on here, btw, who are also working so hard to keep us safe in these weird old times.

My family and friends are incredibly grateful to the NHS in our area, esp. those with serious concurrent health conditions, whose treatments have been kept going as much as is humanly possible.

(And sod anyone who minimises the amount of extra stress involved with organising the logistics of it all...most of us know the harsh reality of what those behind the scenes are up against).

and a virtual to you
(or more than likely a , after a long shift!)