To say that as NHS staff we don't need freebies or gifts

[hibbledobble]

As an NHS doctor, my job is secure. I am working more at this time, and will be renumerated for that. Many people aren't so fortunate and have lost their jobs now or have reduced incomes.

I appreciate the thought, but gifts aren't needed. Emotionally and physically the job is harder now, so kindness is appreciated: if you know any working on the frontline in the NHS now, do check on how they are, offer to chat etc.

I feel like gifts would be better going to food banks, or other worthwhile causes.

@hibbledobble Less than 30K is still more than the £18K an HCA earns though.

My local hospitals have amazon wishlist for little treats that has been put together by the staff- I presume not just doctors and nurses. I think it's a nice gesture to have something nice in staff toilets/washrooms, especially not everyone's salary in the sector is the same and some members of staff who work on not much may enjoy some of the things that were on the list?
It does not exclude helping others in need.

I thought the same thing, that I wasn't in need of food packages etc andnthat they could go to more in need people. Until I read this on a nursing page.

A MESSAGE FROM A NURSE TO FRONTLINE COLLEAGUES:

Hi,

"I'd just like to comment on a post being shared from staff on the frontline asking for food that is being donated to hospitals etc to be given to the poor and needy instead of frontline staff. Whilst I'd normally agree in regular times, these are abnormal and very difficult times for many staff.

I'm a nurse. I live and look after my elderly parents. My Mom has dementia and my Dad, he's 90 and well he's slowing down a lot. I try my best to ensure they have regular meals and are washed and clothed. My Mom suffers from incontinence and that brings with it its own trials. I used to have the help of a cousin and neighbour but now due to Covid I'm on my own caring for them and working fulltime. It's a big struggle.
I often don't get time to eat anything before work at night and so the odd occasion that we do get food delivered, I am so grateful.

I understand that many are in a luckier postion than me and people in my position but I'd ask those sharing those posts to please think of some of your colleagues first before putting up posts refusing food that's donated. I know the staff sharing these posts that mean well and yes we would all love to help those in more need but now more than ever some of your own colleagues are suffering and may not admit to it.

Thank you to everyone who has been so kind to donate food. I know I definitely appreciate it."

So perhaps some of us don't need these food packages and other stiff kindly donated to us. However some of our colleagues may need them and I don't really think it's up to me to refuse something that may be needed by a fellow colleague. It's not solely mine to give away.

@Holymolymackerel I’m sure they loved them! I would.

Honestly it’s been so nice to be appreciated.

I'm donating cash to nhs charities

I personally really appreciate it. I'm a band 2 and the free food and free parking at the minute is making a huge difference to me financially, especially as my husband is self employed and work has significantly reduced for him

I would think that every NHS worker is an individual and whilst I wouldn't want flowers and cuddly toys, I have never met a bottle of something, a pizza or cold hard cash I didn't like and would hate for someone (who I have never met) to deny me these things. But I agree PPE would be best.

PPE > pizza > pens

I'm a hospice doctor and I'd say we all love the clapping where I work!

We don't have proper PPE and are visiting patients at home all the time.

We are getting donations of food and these are very welcome, especially the pizzas as everything is shut including our cafe where we all get our lunch, it's hard for a lot of us to get lunch.

However what would be most appreciated is cash donations to the hospice - all fundraising events are cancelled, the charity shops are shut, investment income has taken a dive. Just in our hospice we think we will lose £1 million from the crisis.

Money donated to the NHS charities isn't going to come to your local hospice but it's us supporting all the people dying from COVID who never go to hospital, or are facing having their cancer treatment cancelled because of COVID, the complex bereavement because families couldn't go to a funeral.

People really appreciate all these small kindnesses during what is a relentlessly hard, depressing and dangerous time. So YABU.

I'm a band 5 and a single parent. I work in a community role 9-5 and I have to rush straight back after work to pick my children up from childcare. A couple of times I have been given a small hamper including bread and milk, tea bags, biscuits, pasta and a few tins. This has really meant a lot to me and has meant I haven't had go to the supermarket, queue outside etc in the late evening with two small children. This kindness has really meant a lot to me.

It's boosting moral where I work. We are very grateful.
We don't need them but it's nice all the same.

@AnnaMagnani, there's no testing in the community here so deaths where they stay in their home are generally not stating COVID on the death cert and won't feature in the stats. Are patients in your hospice being tested? If not, is COVID being stated if you suspect but can't be certain?

We don't have testing kits but a neighbouring hospice does. They have found a lot of asymptomatic patients and now assume they all have it. I'm not involved with the in-patient unit or death certificates - however it's obvious to everyone when there has been a COVID death without testing.

I think if there could be something specific suggested that people could do, that would help. People just want to help! Staying at home is probably a good place to start!
My friend is making scrubs bags, which were requested. I’ve done shops for people who can’t get out. Other wise it’s uncomfortable waiting this storm out.
I’m not sure what’s the answer!

I feel sad now that it won't be received in the way it was intended.

It will have been appreciated in the way it was intended. I don’t think this thread is typical of all of the staff in the NHS.

Not sure about pizza > pens. I love pizza but having bought all my own stationary for god knows how many years pens/staples/post it notes etc would also be appreciated.

@Zilla1 hospices are testing, I work in one too.

Yes, I understand there are those earning less than me, but I'm not earning as much as many would think. Interestingly acolleague during fy1 (first year after qualifying) said they earnt more per hour locuming as an HCA, than doing bank fy1 shifts.

Perhaps I am BU, as others disagree with me. The thought is really appreciated, but I just think there are more needy causes at this time. Don't get me wrong, it would is difficult now for frontline staff, but I think many others are in great need due to change in finances.

@Annamagnani, thank you. What's obvious doesn't always get written up here.

Also this isn't to say any gifts aren't appreciated, they are. I just feel like others could do with them more.

Show your gratitude by writing to your MPs and asking some pertinent questions about PPE, testing and longer-term investment for NHS.

I really don't understand all the 'home cooked meals' to donate to the NHS - as PP has pointed out, the storage and reheating is dodgy, and so much reliance on the hygiene and good practice in the kitchen, often by cooks who will not have done the basic nvq H&S training required in a professional kitchen.

So even if no coviddy sneezes into the food, or flipping of coviddy hair, NHS beneficiaries are at risk of ecoli from poor refrigeration/reheating practices.

Generous Gift.

Show your gratitude by writing to your MPs and asking some pertinent questions about PPE, testing and longer-term investment for NHS.

This would be great!

longer-term investment for NHS
Maybe, but many NHS trusts are woefully inefficient.
Writing as someone that regularly spends time chasing NHS Trusts to invoice for money that they are owed, some £m+, and up to two years old.

Rafals I have a much more expansive hierarchy based on type of pen, but won't derail the thread

Really interesting to hear how the hospices are funded, I had no idea. Our local one does incredible work, I'll definitely be looking into how to support them.