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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give the ward nurses a box of chocolate?

32 replies

Name12345678 · 11/10/2019 17:12

I spent nearly a week in hospital after birth complications.

The nurses were incredible. Absolutely incredible. I have a renewed respect and admiration of what they do.

I would love to give a huge box of chocolates to say thank you but is that acceptable? Are there any rules that say they can’t accept for any reason?

OP posts:
TheJellyBabyMadeMeDoIt · 11/10/2019 17:15

They can't accept money gifts, unless it is donated to the ward (although each hospital trust may have different policies)

Sweets and chocolates are fine. They no doubt receive a fair amount but they are always welcome in our place (not a ward but health care facility).

TheJellyBabyMadeMeDoIt · 11/10/2019 17:16

You can always email an official thank you to the ward manager. They will be able to use that as evidence of going above and beyond for CQC and similar. Always helpful to have something to show other than the complaints!

iolaus · 11/10/2019 17:16

Yes, it's absolutely fine and appreciated

Napqueen1234 · 11/10/2019 17:18

Absolutely fine. Include a nice card as well as they like to pop them up on the wall usually and if you have time email the ward manager and name any specific nurses who’ve been lovely as they can use it all as evidence of good feedback when they revalidate which is great :)

x2boys · 11/10/2019 17:19

That's fine when I was a nurse it was always nice to get some chocolates, they won't last five minutes though .....

timeforachange123 · 11/10/2019 17:20

When I worked as a nurse on wards we used to get lots of chocolates. we would put them away until Christmas and then choose a box each. A lovely little gift.

BettysLeftTentacle · 11/10/2019 17:20

Please do it.

I dont work on a ward but we regularly receive biscuits, chocolates etc from patient’s friends and families and it’s a lovely pickup for us to be recognised as having done a good job. We also receive letters and cards and we read them to each other in our team meetings (and have a little weep!) and pin them up in our tea room to remind ourselves why we do what we do.

You’ll definitely make someone’s day.

OpheliaBee · 11/10/2019 17:21

Definitely put down how you feel in writing. A thank you card is very appreciated and any patient surveys which name individual staff members are great too.

Greywalls12 · 11/10/2019 17:22

Absolutely fine. Can't accept any money or expensive personalised gifts such as a watch etc.
Chocolates won't last 5 mins on my ward Grin
A card is good if you want to write one, and as a previous poster mentioned, if you specify anyone's names, they can use it for revalidation which is super helpful!

OpheliaBee · 11/10/2019 17:23

When I worked as a nurse on wards we used to get lots of chocolates. we would put them away until Christmas and then choose a box each. A lovely little gift.

We did this when I was working on a ward too! Most got opened and eaten immediately but we had a lovely HCA who would squirrel bits away for Christmas too!

Greywalls12 · 11/10/2019 17:23

Or tea and coffee if you're looking for other ideas! We have to pay for our own so it helps!

Zillaindie · 11/10/2019 17:24

Gifts like cakes and chocolates are really appreciated.
Also hand written cards are lovely. Nurses need evidence of feedback from patients to revalidate their practice
However, if you name staff dont forget support staff who have helped you, they often get overlooked despite the amazing job they do.

Orangecake123 · 11/10/2019 17:25

That's a lovely thing.

My mother did similar for 6 nurses when my sister as in NICU.

Orangecake123 · 11/10/2019 17:28

*was

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 11/10/2019 17:31

I took in biscuits, chocolates and a card for the nurses who cared for DH in his last days. They were really pleased.

Cantstopgrazing · 11/10/2019 17:34

I always do this, along with a card to express my thanks.

I tend to give a couple of items so that there's a choice, eg, a box of biscuits and a box of chocolates. Or some tea, coffee, cake and/or biscuits.

It's always appreciated.

Original poster
Name12345678 · 11/10/2019 17:35

Oh good! I’m glad it’s acceptable.

There was one sister in particular who was so lovely. Is it ok to send her a separate card or would that be a no no?

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 11/10/2019 17:40

That’s also fine to give an individual gift as long as it’s not of high value. Wine, token, hand cream (always much needed by poor overwashed hands).

Also, writing a card to staff and an email to CEO via PALs giving thanks and naming key individuals is hugely appreciated.

ShinyMe · 11/10/2019 17:42

Someone I know is a nurse and said they do get loads of chocolates and biscuits (which are always really appreciated) but that the nicest present they had was someone who gave them a big box of tea bags, cappuccino sachets, instant hot chocolate, cup a soups, diluting juice and so on, a really big range of different hot drinks. She said it was nice because it was a bit different and something they otherwise had to buy themselves.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/10/2019 17:43

Definitely send separate cards. And a letter to the chief executive. We can use them for our revalidation. The reason I am overweight is something down to the amount of chocolates we get given!

Toddlerteaplease · 11/10/2019 17:44

A fruit basket also goes down well as does nice tea or coffee.

AquaFaba · 11/10/2019 17:50

Lovely idea. I had my dc2 just over a couple of weeks ago by elcs.
I ordered 3 interflora bouquets, one each for the female surgeon, the female anaesthetist and midwife. They were all fantastic.

Notthebradybunch · 11/10/2019 17:52

It's fine, after my Dad had been in hospital we brought in biscuits, coffee, teabags to say thank you to the nurses for all their help!

bloodywhitecat · 11/10/2019 17:53

Sending her a separate card is absolutely fine and I think the nurse can use it towards her revalidation. An email to the ward manager is a lovely thought too, my old Trust used to have a monthly You Made a Difference award for staff so it might be worth asking if there is anything like that too.

Herbalteahippie · 11/10/2019 19:21

I used to work in a hospital as a HCA, we got a lot of chocolate... maybe some nice teabags or posh coffee? Or fruit?