People who work on busy hospital wards - please help me to find an appropriate gift for an amazing team.

[WrenNatsworthy]

A week today I was discharged from our local hospital, which is often moaned about.
The ward is called High Needs and Short Stay, and I was there for a week. I was really very ill, and every single staff member on that ward was beyond kind.
It was always my intention to go back with a thank you card and gifts. It's a really busy ward so I don't want to buy crap that will just get in the way, so I was hoping that someone who works in a hospital can give me an idea about what is most appreciated.
I was thinking a selection of different types of posh teabags / coffee and chocolates and biscuits to go with them. Does that sound good, or are there better ideas?

Your idea sounds lovely and just what a busy team need - a cuppa and a biscuit during a (probably rare) break.

I'd also say give them a card / some written feedback, and name anyone who you feel stood out. It all helps.

Glad to hear you had a positive experience and hope you're on the mend

I think your gift suggestion sounds perfect . I think more importantly express your appreciation in a card and go in to details of how much it meant to you. It’s lovely to see written thanks and appreciation. From experience the staff will love it. It’ll still be on the staff notice board when the treats are gone.

Good to hear you were so well looked after and are on the road to recovery 😊

Pens!!

Crossed posts cheeseandketchupsandwich!

Yes that sounds lovely. It's often chocolates that are brought (and well received) but add something savoury or fruity or tea/coffee/drink in there will mix it up a bit.

Or without spending loads of money maybe take in some sort of breakfast hamper. The staff won't really get a break until the afternoon so maybe something they could pick up quickly and scoff in the morning would be good.

Water bottles!

And agree with @cheeseandketchupsandwich a card where you name individual staff really brings a smile to their faces.

we put a good amount on a tab at the hospital cafe.
with a 'password' that the ward staff were given by us in the thank you card.

Hand cream always goes down well on my ward but your suggestion will be well received

Brilliant! We were joking with them about pens.

Yes, we've compiled a list of names , and I've got little anecdotes too. it's unbelievable how many people were involved in my care. My favourite nurse and HCA and I were all hugging when I was discharged.

And yes I'm much much better thank you.

second the hand cream! a large pump bottle hand cream is fab because it can go in the staff room and staff can use it when they go in , nurses hands always take a beating! (from a nurse)

I did wonder about that, I have a Neals Yard account so I could order a few. I'll do a nice hamper.

Savoury snacks are a great change from sweet stuff. Cheese straws etc.
A card or letter will be appreciated, but do write to the CEO/chief nursing officer etc too.

Brilliant, I'll get a few of the hand lotions in pump bottles.

Thanks, yes, we will certainly do that as well.

Two years ago l was in and out of hospital ( same ward) l was seriously ill and if l add up the time it was about 6 months.
I made a great friend on the ward and l was discharged before her.. l went back to see her and made an " hamper " for the nurses/ care workers etc.
They were over the moon.
A box of chocolates
3 boxes of biscuits.
2 boxes of tea.
Some individual wrapped cheeses.
Box of cheese biscuits.
A cake.
All from M&S
All appreciated.

Write an email to the chief exec saying how you had great care. That would mean much more to my team than a gift 😊

I'll do both.

I do! Cards are always so special. When I had my baby recently I wrote a card for each member of staff who were wonderful and then sent a letter to the manager of the ward. I have kept all of my old thank you cards, they're so special! Always put the date too.

Pleased to hear your experience was a positive one. I had the most amazing care when I had my baby- such a great experience

Lip balms only because my friend was saying he had dry lips and I could have kicked myself as I hadn't know what to go in with beside a bottle of squash. The nursing staff were truly great around my friend and I really didn't think I'd get past leaving his card.

Wild have just introduced them and have an Easter 20% promotion this weekend.
SPRING20 is the code. Exp 01/04/24

A doctor friend suggested to me to get two boxes of chocolates/biscuits etc, one for the day shift and one for the night shift, as the night shift often misses out.

My suggestion is, if your budget allows, have two gifts (if you're going down the food route). One for day staff, the other for night staff. As a night worker, we're lucky if there are any crumbs left by the time we come on shift!

That sounds lovely and I'm sure they'll be very much appreciated 🙂

Write a thank you note naming those who helped. Nurses can use this as feedback when they have to revalidate their registration

Agreed ,I used to be a nurse ,you can never have enough pens!