WIBU to send a Christmas present to a GP?

[WerewolfNumber1]

I’d like to thank a GP who helped me massively this year - would it be ok to send her a gift?

Budget about £20.

I’m not sure if GPs are allowed to receive gifts or if it would be too odd?

And if it’s ok, any thoughts on what she might like? I’d guess she’s in her 30s but know nothing about her tastes.

You mean a doctor not a grandparent?

yes, go for it, something for the practice, it is not unusual

It’s a nice idea and would be much appreciated. They can accept if it’s not something huge. Everyone likes to know they’re appreciated.

Our local medical centre puts a sign up thanking patients for their generosity but that all items are raffled foŕ xyz charity..

Something small like a lovely hand cream and a nice hand written card would be appropriate imo.

That’s a lovely thought, but I think a handwritten card would be a better idea.

You could give a box of chocolates for all the staff in the surgery if you really are keen on giving a gift.

Yes, I don't think they'd be allowed to accept a gift unfortunately. I agree with PP send some nice biscuits or chocolates for the whole team to enjoy.

A thoughtful card or letter explaining the difference they have made and thanking them will mean a lot though I'm sure. They work hard and are met with criticism more often than not, your appreciation and acknowledgement of their hard work will go a long way.

Send a card with a letter of thanks. It goes on their appraisal file - or so my GP told me.

'NHS England's guidance on managing conflicts of interest suggests that gifts valued over £50 should be treated with caution and should only be accepted on behalf of an organisation, and not by individual NHS staff. They should also be declared.'

A small gift is fine and as a GP I'm sure would be appreciated. One of my patients brought me in some cupcakes on my birthday and I was so flattered they'd remembered (I don't normally tell patients it's my birthday, it must have come up in conversation!). A thank you card is especially appreciated though, not just on a personal level but also because we can put them in our appraisals!

My stepdad used to get all sorts of gifts from patients - bottles of booze, aftershave, chocolate, once a razor which I immediately pinched as he uses an electric one, and from one guy a regular supply of herbs and spices from his home country. All were very much appreciated even if the gift itself wasn't much good to him. He's been retired over a decade now and I've still got a packet of nutmegs in the back of the cupboard!

Best to send sharing gifts eg chocolates, biscuits as GP's are very conscious that they are part of a team. Ours puts sweets on the front counter too between Christmas and new year.

I think this is lovely idea. My dm gave her gp a gift after three weeks of of antibiotics, checks and tests she was diagnosed with skin cancer and her Gp was hugely supportive throughout all the treatment process with calls home too. My dm couldn't afford much but its very much the thought behind it. The gp was very appreciative, I guess thats why they become doctors.

I'm a doctor (not a GP).

We are allowed to receive small gifts, along the lines of what others have said.

I totally agree though that what makes a real and massive difference is a card / letter explaining what a difference she made to you. They can be used for appraisal, but more than this they really motivate me to always do my best. I find it so humbling that at what can be the darkest time of someone's life I can make that a little easier.

I don't expect thanks, a card or a present, but I keep every card I've received and often look back at them when I'm having a tough time. They are appreciated more than I suspect patients realise.

I felt uncomfortable giving a gift (thought it might be against their rules) so I bought an Oxfam goat sort of gift-- a donation of medical care for a pregnant woman in the developing world.

I gave my GP a card and a small box of chocolates to express how much I appreciated his support. Go for it!

Cross posted with a few but specifically the mention of doctors being part of a team. I always scan and forward to anyone else on the team mentioned either by name or everyone involved in their care if mentioned in a more general way.

My dad was a dentist and always had gifts off patients (he was a brilliant dentist) and when he retired he had a lot of gifts from patients - some he had treated for over 40 years.

We get lots of gifts brought into the surgery at Christmas time, the tins of biscuits/chocolates end up in the kitchen for everyone to have a share of. The bottles of wine go home to the individual they are given to. A lovely handwritten letter/thank you card is always appreciated.

Definitely a card and / or an email is the best present. They mean so much especially if they are thanking you for something specific that you have done (HCP but not a GP here).

I would and have in the past - female gp - maybe clarins hand cream? If they are not allowed to accept it then you would use it.

I've recently changed GP & had nothing to do with the surgery so far so only sent card last year (my husband has been a few times and has regular meds).

My old GP practice closed when the main partner retired. I always took in tins of biscuits, sweets and big cards for them but I'd been with them for years, from when I first married and moved to the area, and they were great. Very helpful to me, my son and husband at various times. An old fashioned local doctor type practice.

A couple of close friends are GPs. A bit like teachers, they have a glut of chocolates, biscuits, handcream, wine, bubble bath, mugs, plants and so on. All much appreciated, but they tend to have to donate most to charity, share with the reception team or family, or regift. As others have said, handwritten thank you cards and letters are really welcomed. Flowers? Coffee shop giftcard?

BlackBelt our Christmas chocolates and biscuits keep us going for most of the year - one of our lovely HCAs sorts them all out by BBE dates and we keep them in a locked cupboard and take one out at a time we tape a message on the top with who gave them to us and try and mention it to the patients if they come in while we are eating them!

I've never been given a plant - they obviously don't trust my nurturing skills

Of all the gifts my OH received during his teaching career, ties, mugs, funny socks etc the one he still has, from 1971, is a lovely note from a very grateful parent, I would buy a special card and write in it.