Ok to give a home nurse a Christmas gift?

jobbingmusician

elsien wrote: »

Even if they can accept a gift there are likely to be rules about the value. In my last place (not a nurse but care settings have similar rules) it was nothing over a fiver.

Yep, me too. I've also worked in places where small gifts can be accepted but have to be shared (so things like a box of choccies are good, as they can be gromfled by one person or shared round the office, depending on rules and taste )

GlasweJen

I employ carers through an agency and usually give nice chocolates to my usual carers and hand in a couple of boxes of biscuits, big bag of tea bags and big jar of coffee (think Costco size) to their main office for the carers who work zero hours and pick up when my regulars can't come out for whatever reason.

In my job (for the nhs) we are allowed to accept things like that but booze would be taboo, as would anything valuable.

micky2phones

Hi, what i did was to buy tins of chocolate and some 1 pounds chocs then split them up place in small gift bags along with a card.

I also sent a letter to their bosses thanking all that helped with my treatment.

This letter i found out much later was pinned on a notice board as weeks in to the new year different nurse asked was i so and so yes i said so it is your letter upstais.

DigForVictory

My uncle needed help caring for my Aunt & made sure he always had a big tin of Roses for the wonderful ladies. "Roses all the way", he opined.

A handwritten but legible notelet of thanks is always considered remarkable for some reason. Novelty for a start & bonus, also very MS.

ACG

If you want to get them a gift, get them a gift.
If they tell you they cant accept it at least they know the thought was there.

Its a gift as a thank you for the help they have provided in the past, not to get more/better help in the future. Sod the PC brigade.

robatwork

I do know the reasons it's being asked but..... shaking my head that this question even has to be asked.

We've become a fairly !!!!!! society.

Sovngarde

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I'm not sure the best place to put this topic but I guess ultimately this is an employment question.

My Dad had a bad accident a couple of years ago and is now home but requires a nurse to see to him a couple of visits a week. Although it's potentially a wide range of nurses it's mostly been two nurses that regularly visit and are very good to him.

I've been reading up on whether this is allowed or not but I'm finding the information is not clear, the general rule seems to be nurses aren't allowed to accept personal gifts to ensure the patient is not trying to get preferential treatment. I've seen some comments claim this rule doesn't apply for nurses working with patient after discharge because as it's one to one rather than in a ward.

I'd appreciate any advice on what the current policy is for nurses as I don't want it to be awkward to offer a gift if the nurses aren't allowed to accept it.

Ahh how nice of you!!

My policy for gifts to staff was that it's fine but to let us (us meaning employer / manager) know what the gift is and to which nurses they're for) which is just so I could make a note that this is all above board and with everyone's knowledge and consent. Sounds harder work and more formal than it is to be honest but with reason. We had relatives leave cash to give £10 for each of the staff which was never a problem as long as I knew how much they were leaving, who it was for and made a written note in case there ever was a concern or someone thinking I'd just whipped £200 from someone's savings.

If possible try to stick to something simple and not daft expensive - just something you think or know they'll like. Ask their line manager or other nurses I'm sure they will be able to suggest something.

I remember a chap who every year wanted to buy me and another lass on nights something for Christmas and it meant so much to him that we got something so we did a deal and I said he cold buy me a Kit Kat Chunky.

Every Christmas he sent his daughter off shopping for a "Chunky kitty" :lovethoug

shortcrust

micky2phones wrote: »

Hi, what i did was to buy tins of chocolate and some 1 pounds chocs then split them up place in small gift bags along with a card.

I also sent a letter to their bosses thanking all that helped with my treatment.

This letter i found out much later was pinned on a notice board as weeks in to the new year different nurse asked was i so and so yes i said so it is your letter upstais.

That’s lovely! The letter will have meant a lot.

Mojisola

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I've been reading up on whether this is allowed or not but I'm finding the information is not clear, the general rule seems to be nurses aren't allowed to accept personal gifts to ensure the patient is not trying to get preferential treatment.

It's also to protect the nurses/carers.

It's not unknown for a carer to be given a present or some money by the person being looked after only for a relative to claim the carer stole it.

My parents' carers were allowed to accept something like a small box of sweets or a little pot plant at Christmas but nothing else.

sooty&sweep

Hi
I worked with a Community Nursing team just before Christmas a couple of years ago. The nurses were given numerous boxes of chocolates etc from grateful patients. They brought them back to the office & they were shared out just before Christmas to make sure everyone got a box.
Jen