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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About how to thank NHS staff?

32 replies

EssentialHummus · 11/09/2017 19:05

Yeah, it's not really an AIBU, but I'm a whore for traffic.

I had a very very positive birth experience recently, and I felt my midwives went above and beyond to support me, and that overall the care I received was exceptional. How to say thank you?

My trust doesn't allow gifts beyond "fruit" (the example they give). I was thinking:

  • write to both MWs personally to express my thanks
  • write to head of midwifery at the trust/hospital naming all the people I can think of and saying what a great job they did.

Anything else? If you work for the NHS is there anything in particular you'd like/which can help in your appraisals or whatever? I'm happy to send a fruit subscription/pizza subscription/whatever else, I just don't know what's wanted. Donation in MWs' names to a midwifery/childbirth charity?

Please don't tell me that I'm being over the top or whatever, I feel these people did something exceptional for me and I want to acknowledge that.

OP posts:
Katedotness1963 · 11/09/2017 19:13

I took coffee, tea and chocolates both times. Treats for the staff room, along with a card. It never crossed my mind to check what was allowed...

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 11/09/2017 19:14

Can't you send an MandS online gift? I sent two large boxes of Belgian chocolate and biscuits x

sjd84 · 11/09/2017 19:15

I work in the NHS, your ideas are brilliant, the fact that people take the time to write their thanks means so much. I'd also write a letter to the chief executive of the hospital.

Most gifts have to be shared out so is always difficult buying things!

NevilleBennett · 11/09/2017 19:16

Nice hand cream

Chocolatecake12 · 11/09/2017 19:16

A letter to the head of midwifery would be very much appreciated.
You could send in a lovely selection of biscuits and treats, and a thank you card to the midwives you would personally like to thank.

x2boys · 11/09/2017 19:17

As I always say on these threads get some nice pens nhs staff can never have enough of them.

Original poster
EssentialHummus · 11/09/2017 19:19

some nice pens nhs staff can never have enough of them

That is the kind of insight I need! Thank you.

When we were in overnight after the birth I had DH order them a bunch of pizzas and they were really taken aback, there was a raft of MWs in to cuddle DD and say thanks.

OP posts:
Davenotdave · 11/09/2017 19:24

A thank you to the midwives who supported you would be brilliant for their appraisals, and a letter to their boss would really cheer everyone up.

Beyond that - biscuits and savory things were always my teams favorites

AnyFucker · 11/09/2017 19:26

Write to the head of midwifery or chief exec

Ask that your letter be published in the Trust staff news journal

Mildpanic · 11/09/2017 19:29

So pleased you had a positive experience.
A simple thank you means more than anything.
A card and recognition is such a bonus. A letter to the head of midwifery and the chief exec if you have time would be absolutely amazing.
A card to the individual midwives can help towards their revalidation so again, fab.

Bourdic · 11/09/2017 19:29

Head of Midwifery and Chief Exec both

implantsandaDyson · 11/09/2017 19:30

After my kids were born - we left in boxes of sweets and biscuits and also wrote a card and a letter. My husband who is a shift worker and occasionally gets thank yous left in for him also threw in tea bags and "nice" instant coffee.

zoobaby · 11/09/2017 19:53

A letter to the head of the particular NHS Trust your hospital belongs to. Trust execs love that kind of stuff and service managers (and sometimes the actual people involved) get some recognition. Also a letter to PALs. They only ever hear the bad stuff.

MattAffleck · 11/09/2017 19:58

I'm NHS and get enough pens from drug reps and unions.

A lovely fruit hamper and a letter naming the particular midwives would be lovely. The midwives can upload the letter into their clarity, or equivalent, which they can use to revalidate.

Tiredmum100 · 11/09/2017 19:58

I work for the nhs and a thank you letter or card is always appreciated. Especially as now we have to revalidate and part of that is in the form of feedback. Plus it's always nice to know you did a good job. I sent the day surgery unit a card after my sons op as they did a good job. It's nice for people to take the time to say thank you!

MattAffleck · 11/09/2017 19:59

Ooops Blush I double lovelied.

Ginmakesitallok · 11/09/2017 19:59

Letter to head of midwifery/chief exec and a review left on patient opinion

Iwanthertoloveit34 · 11/09/2017 20:02

A thankyou card is always welcome, believe me a simple thankyou means a lot to NHS staff. If you are passing the unit pick up a friends and family questionnaire. The unit will have one the CCQ use them to rate the unit and its always good to have positive ones.

TrickyLicky · 11/09/2017 20:17

I took a card and posh biscuits for all the staff ob maternity and labour wards who looked after me and a card, chocs and bottle of prosecco for the wonderful midwife who delivered my son. All very gratefully received.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 11/09/2017 20:31

A thank you letter is lovely, they can put it in their portfolio/ appraisal, if you could say some of the specific good things they did that would be even better, eg "I really appreciated that you read my birth plan and kept it in mind when discussing options" rather than just "you were fab"

A letter to their boss would be appreciated too

A box of yummy chocs, although these would be commonly put in the staff room and shared out amongst whoever was on shift, rather than just going to your midwife

I do remember working in A&E and a person came in and announced loudly "these chocolates are for the doctors to say thank you - but NOT for the nurses!" then abruptly left. Awkward!

CatchingBabies · 11/09/2017 20:32

As a midwife. Letters are always appreciated as they can be used for revalidation. A letter to the head of midwifery and chief executive would be very very much appreciated and makes sure those in charge are aware of what a good job they are doing. They don't often get good feedback so it's nice for them also to see the positive sides.

In terms of actual gifts, food and drink always go down well on a long and busy shift. Fruit, cupcakes, pizza, tea and coffee etc. I wouldn't get personal gifts such as hand cream or pens as many trusts do not allow midwives to accept these but a group staff room gift is allowed.

It's lovely of you to go out of your way to thank these midwives and I know they will be truely touched.

BikeRunSki · 11/09/2017 20:36

A letter to the MWs and their bosses. It's great to know when you are doing a good job, but great when your bosses know too. People are very quick to criticise - especially public services - but very slow to commend.

GetOutOfMYGarden · 11/09/2017 20:41

Letters are brilliant. Not a midwife here, different role, but they can go into the portfolios for annual appraisal. Especially good if you say what they did really well eg. 'gertrude really made me feel supported and safe/helped support me and acted as my advocate' or whatever it was. Send to ward manager, head of midwifery, chief exec.

Agree on no nice pens! They're not really allowed as gifts plus if it's anything like where I work they'll be gone by the end of the week Blush Send them a box of krispy kremes or something instead, sugar helps on nights.

Original poster
EssentialHummus · 11/09/2017 20:49

Ooops blush I double lovelied.

Grin

Right:

"Dear X and X

I recently delivered my daughter at the Birth Centre X Hospital and had an exceptional experience.

I was taken care of principally by midwives X and X. They were attentive in their care of me and my husband and later my daughter, endlessly helpful, pragmatic and made me feel confident in my first birth and in the early care of my daughter.

When circumstances meant I needed to be transferred to the labour ward, this quality of care continued. My daughter was delivered by Dr X, supported by midwife X, a Dr X (?) and a number of other personnel - again, I always felt listened to and supported, with what was happening explained to me clearly and pragmatically even under pressure.

Other staff were also faultless - X the Birth Centre midwife who saw me when I came in at 3am on the day of the birth, X who was on duty during the next morning, X who administered my daughter's hearing test so cheerfully and chatted to us, and X leading the Birth Centre who was there when needed to advise and support us and the Birth Centre staff.

I could not have had a better experience anywhere, at any price.

I hope this information is useful to you, whether in future staff/hospital appraisals or in some other way. If you would like to contact me for more information you're welcome to do so."

Good to go?

OP posts:
MattAffleck · 11/09/2017 20:52

Perfect OP. Send copies to the ward. Congratulations on your baby.