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.

What a great system, Frowning! Sorry to have discouraged anyone

That same HCA could also look after any plants, should anyone ever risk it!

I have a GP relative, they have had presents from patients.

I have also seen messages* they have received from patients and they moved me to tears. I agree with PP that a message means a lot.

*book of messages on retirement - not prowling through personal stuff!

It's not unknown, particularly in affluent areas, to receive expensive whisky, cufflinks, unexpected small bequests in wills and so on.

Equally there's concern about patients who leave themselves short to buy a gift, when really the best (and free) gift is a card or letter.

Our patients are generous and appreciative. We get loads of biscuits and chocolates at Christmas which is shared out but we always remember who gives us the tea, coffee and sugar gift though.

I was a gp receptionist and the funniest present received was a Black Pudding(18inches long), for each one of us. The gp's all got a white pudding.
We loved the cards and messages best.

GPs in my family get/got loads. Most of it got shared out but the cards were always appreciated.

Sorry that came out wrong- all the gifts were appreciated but the cards were kept by the GP!

I love the oxfam unwrapped idea- or other charity gift related to medicine. UNICEF I think are doing a vaccine bundle gift I’m sure.
And a card!!

Magazine subscription for the waiting room or staff room?

I worked as a dispenser in a dispensing GP suegery (rural) for a few years. The GPs used to put all the amazing gifts to them and anything given to the practice in one room and we divvied them up between all of the staff just before Christmas, including the part time staff. It was lovely.

Non-drinkers were taken into account too, because bottles of wine, whiskies and all sorts were given! Chocolates, home made cakes and fruit (although they were eaten at tea break if they wouldn't keep), biscuits, smellies, you name it. It was a bit overwhelming to me how generous people were.

Everyone went home with a bit of a hamper of stuff.

The only thing that went into the bin was a box of almonds, as they were sugar almonds one lovely dotty old lady sucked all the sugar off then regifted every year. True story.

Card and a nice message, explaining how they helped you

Chocolates or biscuits for the team

Thanks all - I will go with a letter and something that can be shared.

A local posh bakery does gift cards so I might get one of those and they can choose some nice treats later in the year?

That sounds like a brilliant idea, Werewolf we would definitely appreciate that (if only I worked somewhere with a posh bakery nearby!!)

Sounds like a great idea Werewolf.

I've worked in primary care for nearly 19 years and we've always received lots of lovely gifts at Christmas.

Mostly chocolates and biscuits given to all of the staff. They get stored and brought out month after month, so we don't have to buy many biscuits out of our tea fund money!!

Individual gifts to doctors and nurses are generally received and taken home, however one place I worked put a raffle ticket on each item and staff then chose a raffle ticket and took the corresponding item. There was all sorts from chocolates to wine to whisky and everyone had something.

All gifts are gratefully received, but as others have said a lovely card with a kind and personal message is the best gift of all.

Can I ask the doctors on the thread... would it be completely batshit to write a thank you to a gp regarding something that happened a long time ago? My family gp was instrumental in helping my grandmother to die at home (many home visits, much kindness and compassion but also a willingness to be frank with us, and realistic). It made every difference to her last 18 months. He won't remember her as it was 18 years ago, but I heard that he is about to retire and wondered if a thank you would be appropriate?

My GP retired this year but I used to get her book tokens & suggest some books I thought she might like. (I have complex health needs so we saw quite a lot of each other...)

I also get a tin of biscuits/chocolates for everyone at the Practice to share.

1980stat I would do it.

My aunt gets loads of chocolate boxes from her patients.

My mother was in a nursing home when she passed away. We sent the nurses/doctors on her floor one of those cookie bouquets as a thank you.

I can remember being in our surgery just before Xmas and couldn't believe the number of people coming in to leave a bottle for the doctors - it looked like an off licence!!

Personally I'd rather send something everyone can benefit from like tea, coffee, biscuits for their breaks.

My DH is a GP (Scotland), and yes, they can accept gifts if they choose to do so.
Ans while he never expects any gift from any patient, occasionally he does get a gift and it he is always incredibly touched when it happens.
Gifts over the years have included wine, whisky, chocolates, occasional hand made items (knitted, baked), and small gifts for our DC.

1980s- I’m pretty certain the GP would love to get a letter of thanks.

perfectly reasonable, we have to declare anything above £100 - a nice card is also very nice to get

1980stat I would think he'd be delighted to know that, 18 years later, his kindness was still appreciated. Yes please do write. And you never know, he might remember your grandmother. I'm not a dr, but I remember some clients from many years ago.