How do I tell the hospital about an amazing nurse?

[Siriisatwat]

My dad has been in hospital for a week, it’s been very stressful (dementia), and one nurse in particular has been just amazing. She’s handled my snotty, crying phone calls with such compassion and helped my dad stay in touch with me everyday. She’s helped so much with his discharge and getting the consultant to actually listen to me.

I collected him today and thanked her, and I took down her full name so that I could let them know just how fabulous a nurse she is and how she went above and beyond for me and my dad.

So how do I go about telling the right person? Ward sister/line manager etc. I don’t want an email to get lost.

Tweet them? Facebook post?

@Palavah

Tweet them? Facebook post?

Not on any social media (I know, I’m weird!)

PALS
Look them up on the hospital web site.

PALS should be able to help get the message to the right place.

Write to the chief executive. You will find details on the homepage of the hospital website.

Definitely PALS. I'm a HCP, and all of out compliments (and complaints!) reach us via PALS, it's a much safer route than contacting a ward sister/manager who is juggling 50 thousand other things. Also, a PALS compliment will be placed on her personnel file, which may not happen if directed elsewhere.

Most departments have a contact page on the hospital website, where you can leave “reviews”. Ours does but it did take a bit of searching.

Alternatively, just write a good, old fashioned letter to her Department head and copy it to the Chief Executive (and her).

Also, buy her a great, big bunch of flowers and deliver them. I did. Thought it might be a bit cringey but she was really, really touched (this was pre-Covid, might not be quite so easy in person now but there’ll be a way).

Letter to chief exec. Some hospitals run something called ‘wow’ awards… sounds a bit cheesy but it’s actually really nice to get a nomination. PALs or the hospital website might be able to say if they do that.

Write to the Chief Executive, if it goes to PALS probably only the ward manager will see it. Do they publicise any awards the public can nominate? Check the website for employee of the month type things.

Thank you all so much!

Will contact pals and write to chief exec.

She really was excellent so I’d like someone to recognise that.

I would suggest writing to the chief exec and also sending a personal letter or card. She can then use it in her portfolio when she does her revalidation (to continue to professional accreditation). I will never forget those families that took the time to send me a card to say thank you. It means a lot.

CareOpinion is good, I’m a nurse and I’ve also used it to flag up good care/experiences from my many visits to various departments as it’s nice to know if you’ve done well and someone acknowledges that rather than all the negative stuff. You can name the nurse and the management and senior nurses will see if you say which department/hospital you were involved with.

There is a website called 'I want great care'. The majority of hospital trusts use this for review purposes

I second a letter addressed to the nurse sent through the chief exec.

Thank you for acting to knowledge the effort, very many don't have head space to which is understandable, it means a lot when some do let us know and I’ve always kept every card

I would also find out whether the hospital ward runs an award scheme. We have a nurse who helps with my mum who has cancer. This nurse is amazing, she goes over and beyond. I nominated her for award last year and she and I were delighted when she won!

That's really lovely. Pals and chief executive.

Write to the Chief Nurse of the hospital.

Their details will be under ‘our board’ section on the hospitals website

Chief exec

Gestures like this mean so much to those concerned. It a lovely thought at a difficult time. 🌼

Email the PALs dept in the hospital: the email will be on the trust website.

It’s a really lovely, kind gesture

Please don’t email PALS though. By emailing the Chief Nurse you will highlight this nurses actions to the most senior nurse who sits on the board. It would be a huge accolade.

I would give a personal card to the nurse but also write to or email the chief exec and chief nurse.

Many hospitals have some sort of award certificates or badges for staff who are personally named for giving great care and it’s really good for them to use during appraisals.

You can just email/ write to the hospital CEO.

The feedback gets passed back. I still have some letters from patients way back from when I was an intern 15 years ago. They’re lovely. Thank you for doing this.

I think I’m being daft (my dad has moved in with me so I’m not getting much rest while he’s settling in), but can anyone point me in the right direction on the hospital website please? It’s Wexham Park in Slough.

(Not worried about outing myself, I don’t know anyone 😂).

Thank you, I’m just really knackered, stressed and useless at the moment.

Thank you for doing this. As a nurse I can tell you that it will mean so much to her.
There’s so much bashing of the nhs in the media and it’s so nice to get positive feedback.