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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To send a gift to the nurses?

38 replies

Catslovepies · 01/10/2022 17:13

I had an endoscopy this week and it was a bit traumatic, but the nurses who helped me were absolutely brilliant. This was in a busy hospital outpatient department but they took the time to help me calm down, held my hand, and were absolutely lovely. I'd like to send a card and a gift to the ward but what can I send? AIBU to do this and if so do you have any suggestions please? I'd like to order something online that could be delivered to the ward directly. Budget not particularly high, maybe £50, but I'd like to send something.

OP posts:
alexdgr8 · 01/10/2022 17:16

that's a nice idea.
send anything that can be shared among the team.
not flowers obviously.

HollaHolla · 01/10/2022 17:18

I’ve given biscuits/big tubs of sweeties for their break room before. NHS colleagues have said they are always appreciated - along with a nicely written card, of course.
Lovely to hear that the staff were so great.

Sirzy · 01/10/2022 17:18

A letter of thanks to the ward and to the chief executive of the hospital is probably the best thing.

when Ds was in we asked and where told tea/coffee/hot chocolate etc are always appreciated

Gherkingreen · 01/10/2022 17:19

That's a lovely thing to do! Maybe biscuits, shareable chocolates, tea bags, fruit/herbal tea, luxury hot chocolate sachets, that kind of thing? I took the nurses a few boxes of the really chocolatey biscuits from M&S after I was in hospital a few years ago. They said they really appreciated the gesture but that it really wasn't necessary.

Angelofthenortheast · 01/10/2022 17:20

Just send a box of chocolates and a card, they'll love it! Although personally I think a £6 box of chocolates would have the same effect as a £50 box. I can't explain it but I would feel guilty about receiving a £50 gift from a patient from an endoscopy

Gherkingreen · 01/10/2022 17:20

Agree with @Sirzy, I also emailed the CE and the director of nursing to pass on my thanks

Auntpodder · 01/10/2022 17:24

I've done it several times - a selection of really good coffees and teas plus posh biscuits, including savoury ones have always gone down well. I once arranged for a case of wine to be delivered which was used for a staff picnic…

willingtolearn · 01/10/2022 17:26

I would third the suggestion to write to either the CEO or the Ward manager naming the staff members and how you feel they helped you.

This sort of feedback is actually used when you are revalidating as a nurse and is extremely valuable to them.

CheezePleeze · 01/10/2022 17:27

The answer to this question is always black Biros apparently.

Jackienory · 01/10/2022 17:31

A large tin of chocolates always goes down well with us. And it's amazing how often matron drops round when the word gets out !.

gerbo · 01/10/2022 17:32

We gave a few boxes of Roses/Celebrations etc when I had an appendectomy and the staff were lovely. I like the good teabags/coffee/hot chocolate sachets idea though!

DotDotDotDotDot · 01/10/2022 17:35

Have a look on the hospital website, there should be a link usually where you can leave feedback/say thanks etc. People are always quick to make complaints but not always so much to leave compliments. Be as specific about the staff members as you can, name names if you remember. It will be shared with the staff and their managers and makes a massive difference to staff morale (and their professional portfolio) especially at this time when we are loosing NHS staff faster than we can recruit. I’m so glad you had a good experience, we are so lucky to have the NHS.

Iliketeaagain · 01/10/2022 17:36

What others said about sending a letter (or email) to the manager and CEO - that's the best thing ever. Even better if you name them individually because RNs need feedback for revalidation.

A tin of chocolates or tea / coffee is always appreciated, but I find what nurses appreciate most is a someone taking the efforts to send a card or an email to say you appreciated what they did.

Healthcare is often hard - and it brightens everyone's day to get a thank you from a patient afterwards.

Also, not sure of covid restrictions, but individually wrapped (like celebrations or quality street) is probably better for infection control.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/10/2022 17:40

Black pens, nice coffee or tea bags. Fruit always goes down well. Someone gave us a huge box of fruit and it was so appreciated.

But what will mean far more is a card to the nurses, mentioning names. And maybe a letter to the chief exec. They can use it for their revalidation and it makes your day to get a mention!

Spidey66 · 01/10/2022 17:42

I broke my shoulder last year and had plate and pins in.

I was under orthopaedics and physio for a few months after.

On the day I was being discharged from orthopaedics, I gave them a card, some Lindt chocolates and some nice biscuits. While I didn't actually give the ward or physio anything, I wrote an email to PALS saying I was pleased with the care given and mentioned the ward and the physio.

Tiredmum100 · 01/10/2022 17:51

We recently had 2 tubs of chocolate. They're currently 2 for £7 in tesco. They were very well received and appreciated. You really don't need to spend £50. As others have said, a card or email would be lovely. I have been mentioned in the paper in the death announcements by the family of patients I have looked after. That means so much and I can use it as evidence as feedback as we have to revalidate every 3 years and need so many pieces of feedback. I'm sure the nurse would really appreciate a card. I'm also glad you had a positive experience! Its nice to hear!

Abouttimemum · 01/10/2022 17:51

We sent a Ringtons hamper with tea, coffee, biscuits and chocs, and sent an email to the bosses.

goldfinchonthelawn · 01/10/2022 17:56

I'd buy good quality tea bags, coffee bags, some instant latte and hot chocolate sachets and some really nice biscuits so they have some treats on their breaks.

Putonyourshoes · 01/10/2022 18:00

As a nurse, if you caught any of their names it would be lovely to send them personal thanks in a letter or card. It’s always lovely to receive positive feedback but also practically, we can use patient feedback as part of our revalidation process we have to do every three years. Chocolates or biscuits are also always gratefully received!

caringcarer · 01/10/2022 18:11

After I have been in hospital I always send a thank you card and a large box of shortbread/biscuits.

HairyMothballs · 01/10/2022 18:12

That's a nice idea. How about one or 2 tubs of Quality Street or similar?

Heyheyitsanotherday · 01/10/2022 21:42

So pleased you get so looked after. I’m sure a card (if you remember any of their names write them in it, good for their revalidation) and a box of chocs always go down a treat. Nothing expensive. Just the £4 tubs are always very welcome at the nurses station 💗 I emailed the head midwife after an amazing experience to get them some praise from higher up. Will boost morale a wee bit too xx

SergeiL · 01/10/2022 21:53

I agree that a thank you card to the nursing team and email to the CEO name checking them is the way to go. Along with some chocolates / biscuits and some tea / coffee. I wouldn’t spend money on an expensive hamper and very posh stuff because healthcare staff rarely get a chance to sit and savour artisan stuff.

StoneofDestiny · 01/10/2022 22:27

Yes, I always have done this. Nice to say thank you.

TheIsaacs · 01/10/2022 22:35

A card and something that can be shared around the team. There are strict rules on accepting gifts over certain value, so food is your best bet. Chocolates, biscuits etc will probably be gratefully received.

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