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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

GP surgery- what would you do??

28 replies

CheeseyNachos · 09/02/2022 18:32

I’ve had quite a lot of visits to the GP over the last couple of years for ongoing chronic conditions which have so far been unmanageable and have had a really detrimental impact on my life. I’ve been registered with the same practice for over 15 years and have used them more in the last 3 years than the 12 years before.

I think we’re finally on top of things healthwise, and for the first time in 3 years I’m starting to feel a lot better Smile this is only thanks to the multiple kind, caring staff within the practice. The receptionists are lovely and helpful and always fit you in where possible, the nurses are brilliant and have always taken my concerns seriously, and the doctors themselves are always empathetic and they genuinely try their best to help and I’ve always felt listened to.

I’ve been under the care of various different hospital departments for chronic conditions and whilst everyone there has been great too, I really feel like my GP surgery had gone above and beyond. Any issues with hospital appointments have been sorted by them and they’re the ones who have been proactive and have made such a big difference in improving my health.

I had an appointment last week and from various test results, it looks like I’m getting better! I doubt I’ll need to go back for appointments anymore apart from medication reviews- but it’s looking like all the hospital referrals and urgent appointments are finally over with!

Would it be weird for me to get a thank you gift for the practice? If it was one member of staff who had helped me I would get something specific for them, but I’ve had appointments with different people not to mention how caring and kind the receptionists are, so I wanted to get something general for everyone just to say thank you. I’ll also get something specific for the doctor and nurse who have helped me for most of my appointments too.

Would that be seen as a weird thing to do? Does anyone have any ideas for thank you gifts? Or have you ever received a nice gift from a patient? Smile thank you!

OP posts:
Michellebops · 09/02/2022 18:34

I think it's a lovely idea and perhaps a card and some nice chocolates and/or maybe a personalised poem. Etsy could be good site to try

viques · 09/02/2022 18:36

I think that would be a gift that would be very much appreciated. I would send a box of posh biscuits and a card.

healthylifestylee · 09/02/2022 18:36

I work in a practice
A card and box of chocolates goes down extremely well

Cardio101 · 09/02/2022 18:38

I think that’s a really lovely thing to do, and will be very appreciated by the surgery.

I received a crocheted nurse doll from a patient - my most beloved gift and something I will treasure forever.

Anything you get them they will be grateful for I’m sure

PinkiOcelot · 09/02/2022 18:40

I think that’s a lovely idea. I’m sure they’d be thrilled. It’s so nice to be thanked.
I did the carers at my mam’s home a hamper for Christmas. I just made it myself with chocolates, biscuits, tea and coffee etc. that was well received.
Ps. Glad you’re feeling better x

Drivingish · 09/02/2022 18:40

Think that would be lovely and would be much appreciated. A joint gift like chocs/biscuits goes down better anyway, no ethical dilemmas about accepting it then.

Podgedodge · 09/02/2022 18:40

I sent a Christmas card to my GPS surgery following a lot of contact prior to Christmas. My GP has commented on it subsequently so I assume it was appreciated.

22Giraffes · 09/02/2022 18:42

I think that is a wonderful thing to do. It sounds like they have really made a meaningful change in your life with your health so I think they would be thrilled to know how much you appreciate them.

Original poster
CheeseyNachos · 09/02/2022 22:45

Great that’s a big relief!

I was worried it wasn’t the done thing or that it would look weird. My medical problems were never life or death, but they were chronic and having a debilitating impact on my life and I felt it was important to thank the people who helped me through them.

Would a card and biscuits be ok? Or would it be best to leave the card and just stick to a gift?

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
notanothertakeaway · 09/02/2022 23:41

I sent a card to our GP practice and it was still at reception a few weeks later. They said they appreciated it

If you give chocolates or biscuits, perhaps best if individuality wrapped, for hygiene eg some packets of kit kats

Annecat · 09/02/2022 23:49

I'm GP surgery staff and cards are much appreciated. We often are quick enough to be told where we've gone wrong or when people are unhappy. We display all our cards in the office, nice to look at on tough days. Chocolates and biscuits are always well received. We have a few regulars who drop in our favourite biscuits a few times a year. Tough place to work at the moment so it'll mean more to staff than you realise.
If you have really had good service it helps the practice to leave positive feedback on practice website and a email/letter to manager too.

Frazzled50yrold · 09/02/2022 23:53

Biscuits and fruit baskets go down well in all work places.It's lovely to hear of someone having such a positive experience of the health system.

GettingThemFromHereToThere · 09/02/2022 23:58

Maybe a fancy moisturiser they can keep behind the reception desk for the odd squirt? Loccitaine do a lovely pump size.

DilemmaDelilah · 10/02/2022 10:07

Don't write a poem!

Original poster
Cheeseynachos · 10/02/2022 21:23

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll go to the shops and get some nice chocolates and biscuits and a card. I was worried I would look a bit weird and random for doing it so it’s a relief to know it would go down well Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
CheeseyNachos · 10/02/2022 21:25

Sorry I had namechanged for a separate post and tried to name change back but missed a capital letter so it’s not come up as a post from me! The above post is me but I’ll copy down below again.

‘Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll go to the shops and get some nice chocolates and biscuits and a card. I was worried I would look a bit weird and random for doing it so it’s a relief to know it would go down well Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
CheeseyNachos · 10/02/2022 21:28

@DilemmaDelilah

Don't write a poem!
I wouldn’t even know how to, I don’t think I’ve written a poem since I was in year 5! Grin my poetry skills are definitely not good enough for a giftGrin
OP posts:
Thecurtainsofdestiny · 10/02/2022 21:30

Not weird at all to give a gift! As pp have said, fruit baskets or other nice things to eat. Or nice tea/ coffee.

Another thing you could do, would be to write a short letter of thanks to the doctor and nurse you mentioned, individually. Doctors have an annual appraisal and have to report any complaints they have had, but
can also report compliments.

I think they'd appreciate getting the latter.

Ohyesiam · 10/02/2022 21:35

Having been an HCP in the NHS I can tell you that it’sa lovely idea.

Sweetbabyrays · 10/02/2022 21:36

It would be very much appreciated. We get so much stick day in day out, even a card makes you feel good in these shitty times. A tin of biscuits it loved and they get demolished in about an hour 😂 just steer clean of homemade, we tend to avoid those!!!

Riverlee · 10/02/2022 21:40

The gp surgery will really appreciate the gesture.

Theredjellybean · 10/02/2022 21:40

I'm. Not even your gp and I feel just generally appreciated by your post.
Biscuits always good, nice teabags or coffee too.
And a letter explaining why you are thanking them so doctors and nurses can use it in their appraisal will be so gratefully received.
Lovely to hear a positive post regarding GPs

TroysMammy · 10/02/2022 21:51

You could nominate your Surgery for The General Practice Awards or through RCGP Awards however posh tea and chocolates are always welcome.

Brunonononooo · 10/02/2022 21:55

My husband is a GP practice manager and I think he/the staff would so appreciate this. It would be more the gesture I think, they take so much shit from people who complain/criticise/belittle them (when they all work super hard!!! And lots of face to face appointments are available, I know that’s one of the first things people complain about) I think a kind gesture like this would really help with morale. You can also review them on Google, I think GP practices are keen for good reviews (or at least they are around here).

AquaVitae89 · 10/02/2022 22:14

Nurse in a GP surgery here - we love a present but the nicest thing is always a personalised card, they get displayed for a long time and make people smile, raises morale 😊.