Question for nurses or doctors or ANY healthcare professionals in hospitals

[Readysaltedcrisps1]

I spent over a week admitted to hospital and wanted to get the staff a thank you card and present for how kind they were when I was there. Would this be acceptable or seen as a bit weird to do this? For what it’s worth I was admitted urgently and had to get various procedures and everyone in the hospital (porters, surgeons, nurses, everyone!) were fantastic despite being under immense pressure with their jobs. Is there anything that’s particularly good to get as a present to say thank you? I was going to get something for both the ward and the surgical team, I thought maybe biscuits but wasn’t sure if there was maybe something nicer or preferable! Budget isn’t an issue I just wanted to get something genuinely nice but wasn’t sure what was best or if it was allowed with covid

TIA😀

@Princessintherosecastle
What do you call 'decent'? I want to buy some for the ward & I don't drink instant, so I don't know what to buy. I'm going buy a big bag of PG tips & hope that's ok, plus sugar & a couple of boxes of packs of biscuits. Costco sell them I think they're called 'Bordeaux' ?

Im going to try ringing the ward to ask, but I want to buy a couple of large desk fans (like the ones they had when I was in there, so I know they're ok) & (there's a real shortage of them) but I was wondering if they're better off in sealed brand new boxes or if it's ok if I assemble them first? Not sure about PAT testing etc

@Jessbow that's a good reminder, I'll get some of those too.

@Readysaltedcrisps1 sorry for the hijack!!

Thank you very much for the replies and advice. I’ll definitely send an email and thank all the staff who helped me and hopefully they can find them and pass on feedback- I wish I could remember names but I’ve wracked my brains and I can’t remember anyone! I’ll give the ward details and dates in the email and hopefully the staff will still be able to use the feedback in appraisals even without me remembering their names.

I’ll get some nice individually wrapped chocolates and biscuits for the ward staff room too. I actually considered a couple of big boxes of Krispy Kremes but wasn’t sure about covid protocols allowing this.

From porters to nurses to consultants to auxiliary staff to the surgical team- every single person who helped me was so kind and made a stressful time so much easier. It’s a shame they don’t get recognition for this and that people are so quick to complain but slow to praise (I seriously had to bite my tongue after hearing how rude some other patients on the ward were to the staff! 😦)

I know that some people have bad experiences with the NHS and I’m not arguing about that, but when it works as well as it worked when I was in hospital it really is amazing.

@Readysaltedcrisps1 about to go to sleep but I really want you to know how much you've turned my evening around. Hope youre feeling much better.

@Readysaltedcrisps1 this is such a heartwarming thread. I’m glad you had a positive experience and wish you a speedy recovery.
My dad was in hospital in the height of Covid and I spoke to his doctors and nurses multiple times a day, they treated my dad with such kindness and respect and compassion. After the emails and cards I did actually drop off a few boxes of Krispy Kremes which seemed to go down really well.

You've said the porters were lovely.

Don't forget them, as they won't get a sniff of any biscuits on a ward or the credit in a thank you card to the nursing staff/email to the chief exec.

@Readysaltedcrisps1 covid protocol will allow krispy kreme donuts…and as much and anything will be appreciated, if you take in Krispy Kreme you will make everyone’s day. What a top tier gift 🍩 😁

As PP have said, email to chief exec naming staff you can recall, and chocolate, biscuits, etc are always appreciated!

Cheap pack of biros will go down amazingly

Don't forget pathology. They'll have tested all your blood and wee and swabs. They never get thanked.

@Mindmyownbusiness 😂 our surgeons get them some cake and chocolates most weeks in the hospital I work at

Then you have lovely surgeons. Yesterday I had one threaten me because I made him do his job properly.

That’s lovely, anything edible will be gratefully received. And email to the Chief Exec, or PALS , simply detailing the excellence of care you have had will be circulated to all. Our hospital puts out a newletter via email once a week, which give out anonymised patient feedback, and it’s great to be mentioned. It really gives us a boost, as even if there are no specific names attached, it can still be used in recalibration, under some circumstances. Any thank you cards received by departments or ward areas are also documented, and forwarded to the newsletter to be included in the next edition, so whoever you send it to, it’ll be seen. It’s so nice to be thanked, no matter what job you do. I recently wrote thank you cards to the wards my parent has been on for the past couple of months, and made a special mention of the kindness and help from the switchboard staff in helping me to locate my parent, the domestic staff, as the hospital is spotless, and the catering staff, as the food was fabulous.
Good for you, I’m so glad you had a good experience.

Recalibration? Revalidation!🙄

Would be hugely welcome! Anything edible will be shared and enjoyed - biscuits , individually wrapped chocolates go down really well.

I hope this is a joke!!
they really, really won’t.

Emergency Physician here, absolutely seconding black biros! We aren't provided with pens (we buy our own) and they walk for a pastime.