Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is it normal to sends thank you to hospital wards and staff these days?

43 replies

ImAMinion · 31/08/2023 17:34

I’ve recently had a very unexpected hospital stay after an infection rapidly went out of control.

A&E were excellent, I was seen quick (10 minute wait) and yes whilst there for 6 hours in total I was seen by people for scans and all sorts with not more than 25 mins between each person. I was then admitted for 3 nights, emergency surgery, drips……totally thrown and unexpected.

I cannot fault any staff I came across. The ward nurses were amazing, I am just so amazed now looking back they were clearly run off their feet but I was treated with absolute dignity and kindness. The surgeons, the consultants……I honestly can’t fault the service I received.

Is it normal these days to send a thank you note to wards? A tub of chocolates or such? I’m just in awe, even the lovely catering lady, who knew you could laugh in hospital?

I want to tell them my appreciation for my care. But not sure how!

OP posts:
Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 31/08/2023 17:38

As a nurse I can say we really do appreciate a thank you. Chocolate is always welcome but, Genuinely a thank you card to everyone is really appreciated, and as a nurse we can use it when we revalidate.

TonTonMacoute · 31/08/2023 17:39

If you had great treatment I'm sure it would be appreciated.

As for whether it's normal, no one I know who has been in hospital recently would be up for sending a thank you, although some staff members did try.

RandomCatGenerator · 31/08/2023 17:41

I sent a thank you card and a tub of chocolates to the nurses and midwives on the ward and to the surgical team after both of my c sections. They were well received and it didn’t feel weird. I think when you’re pleased with the service and feel they’ve gone the extra mile when you are vulnerable, it’s a nice thing to do.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
PuppyMcPupFace · 31/08/2023 17:42

I did when DH was in HDU for two weeks, the staff were so upbeat and positive even though he was obviously dying.

RandomCatGenerator · 31/08/2023 17:42

(I was actually not impressed with a lot of the nurses - but some were really great, as were all the doctors, so I name checked the ones who had been really excellent)

RandomCatGenerator · 31/08/2023 17:42

I’m so sorry for your loss @PuppyMcPupFace 💐

Clefable · 31/08/2023 17:42

I've sent cards a few times for stuff like this. With DD1 when I had an emergency section and they got her out so quickly, when a GP receptionist went above and beyond, when my GP did the same, etc. I think it's such a small gesture that can really brighten up someone's day.

SleepingStandingUp · 31/08/2023 17:43

We did long haul with DS, 4 months on surgical ward so they got lots of cakes after his christening (leftovers but appreciated) with some sent to PICU, and cakes and chocs when we left plus toys for the play room but I don't doubt their favourite bit was a card written from the heart with tear smudges.

AnnaMagnani · 31/08/2023 17:45

What would really be appreciated is a thank-you addressed to the Chief Exec, naming all the departments and anyone in particular you thought was fab.

LollipopViolet · 31/08/2023 17:45

We took a card and chocolates in to the ward my grandma was in when she came home from almost 2 weeks in hospital after surgery. The staff on her ward were SO lovely while she was in, and they really appreciated the gifts - they seemed surprised so I'm not sure how common it is now.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 31/08/2023 17:48

After two hospitals were absolutely brilliant tending to my parents, we sent chocolates & thank you cards & also tweeted them our thanks, copying in the chief executives of both trusts. Both of them liked & replied to the tweets.

RosemaryDill · 31/08/2023 17:49

I think it's more common on children's wards but it's always appreciated.
I was in hospital for 8 days with covid a couple of years ago and sent a thank you card and gift. It's true not every member of staff is a saint but it was a horrible job and I really felt for them having to work hard in a heatwave in full ppe. On top of that most of them managed to be kind and cheerful.

bestbefore · 31/08/2023 17:50

I sent some packs of individually wrapped biscuits and snack bars when I had a good experience with day surgery unit and the nurse rang to thank me! I just used Amazon.

AcclimDD · 31/08/2023 17:54

It's more unusual not to express thanks after an in-patient stay imo. Cards and chocolates /biscuits always well received by staff on hospital wards.

Bbq1 · 31/08/2023 17:57

I have been in hospital multiple times since being diagnosed with cancer in 2011. Thank god I was cured but i live with the after effects of cancer so still visit hospitals regularly. Over the years, all the staff I encountered (bar 1) were such kind, understanding, hardworking people. Just lovely people. The nurses in chemo and ICU particularly were outstanding and nothing fazed them. We always thanked them with chocolate and a card.

Eastofe · 31/08/2023 17:57

Cards are always really appreciated, as are emails, especially if you name the staff.

JazzTheDog · 31/08/2023 17:58

If your hospital is signed up to Careopinion a public thank you on there is always good 😊

Growlybear83 · 31/08/2023 18:03

I got my husband to buy a card and a couple of tubs of chocolates when I was discharged from having my cancer treatment a few years ago. My Mum was in the Stroke Unit for three weeks last year before she died, and I sent a card to the ward a couple of days later. I also wrote to the Chief Executive of the hospital trust to let them know just how wonderful all their staff were, and left reviews in a couple of places.

Livedandlearned · 31/08/2023 18:04

A card is always appreciated and some biscuits or chocolates is extra appreciated.

Mrsjayy · 31/08/2023 18:08

My dad was taken suddenly ill last year the staff in both of the wards were amazing so we left some biscuits and a thank you card .

LindyLou2020 · 31/08/2023 18:15

AnnaMagnani · 31/08/2023 17:45

What would really be appreciated is a thank-you addressed to the Chief Exec, naming all the departments and anyone in particular you thought was fab.

I second that. My elderly mother became ill, was taken to hospital, was found to have a very serious, untreatable condition, and died within days in the IC unit. It all happened so quickly but all the staff I encountered were superb, and I knew exactly what was going on as it was all explained to me so well.
I did the chocolates and cards for the staff involved, and also sent a letter of thanks to the CEO. His reply made it clear that he had sent a copy of my letter to every department/ward involved with my mother.
Things don't always go so well, as we all know, and just as wrongdoing should be held to account, I feel exemplary treatment should be praised.

Beseen22 · 31/08/2023 18:22

The nicest thing is when someone puts your name in a letter thanking you for care. Makes it all worthwhile to be honest.

Mrsjayy · 31/08/2023 18:48

My dad was being quite "difficult " we had to keep apologising but I guess it was just his illness and he was frightened . The nurses and ward staff were so understanding and kind, I get that that's their job but it made a terrible experience
bearable.

purpledagger · 31/08/2023 19:30

i'm sure a nice card and edibles will be much appreciated, but i also recommend writing to the Board, as i think it's important that the most senior people in the hospital are aware of how great their staff are.

wasahoarder · 31/08/2023 19:43

After one of DH's cancer treatments we sent thank you card, cake and made a donation to the unit for a bit of machinery (portable scanner to help find veins for cannulas etc)
It was much appreciated:)