“My Patients Won’t Want to Give”

This is one of the most common objections NHS charity teams hear when engaging hospital staff in fundraising:

“My patients won’t want to give.”

It’s a genuine concern — and it often comes from a place of compassion. Clinicians worry that patients are too overwhelmed, too unwell, or too frustrated with the system to consider giving back.

Why Clinicians Feel This Way

Here are some of the most frequent reasons staff give:

“Waiting lists are too long — patients are upset.”

“They’ve just received life-changing news — they’re too distressed.”

“I work in ICU — many of my patients die. Why would families give?”

“They don’t have enough money.”

These concerns are valid. But they don’t reflect the full picture.

What Happens After Grateful Patient Training?

Once staff take part in Grateful Patient Programme training, they’re often pleasantly surprised. They begin to understand:

• Giving is often part of the healing process

• Patients and families want to express gratitude

• Gifts come in many forms — not just large donations

• Fundraising can be done ethically and sensitively

Real Examples That Shift Perspectives

When I share these examples during training, you can see the lightbulb moments happen:

Mr A’s son had emergency surgery — he gave £50,000 as a first gift

Mrs B gave £25,000 personally, then recommended a Trust who gave £30,000

Mr C personally lead the fundraising campaign to raise £500,000 by galvanising the Haematology Patient Support Group into action

Mrs D left £2 million in his Will for Oncology

Four transplant patients gave £5,000 after meeting a surgeon

£100 gift made within two days of a poster going up in Audiology

£500 and a letter from a radiotherapy patient who described her treatment as “pleasant”

£20/month Direct Debit set up via a donation envelope

33 new legacy pledges last month alone

These gifts came from patients across departments — from those receiving life-saving care to those simply grateful for kindness and professionalism.

Sharing patients’ perspectives really makes them see philanthropy differently

“I wanted to say thank you in a way that lasts. The care I received saved my life — how could I not give back?”

“I didn’t know I could donate directly to the hospital. Once I found out, it felt like the most meaningful way to show my gratitude.”

“Giving helped me process what happened. It was part of my healing.”

“The nurses were incredible. I wanted to do something to support them — even a small gift felt like a way to say thank you.”

“I lost my husband here, but the care and compassion we received was extraordinary. I wanted to honour that.”

“I don’t have much, but I give a little every month. It’s my way of saying thank you for looking after me.”

“I gave because I saw how hard the staff work. They deserve all the support they can get.”

“I included the hospital in my Will because I want future patients to benefit the way I did.”

“I gave because I wanted to help fund the research that saved me — and might save someone else.”

“I didn’t expect to feel so emotional about giving. It felt good to do something positive after such a difficult time.”

The Takeaway

Patients do want to give. Not all of them — and not always right away. But many are looking for a way to say thank you. Your job is to make it easy, ethical, and meaningful.

Grateful Patient Programmes aren’t about pressure. They’re about offering the opportunity to give, when the time is right.

Would you like help designing a training session, briefing pack, or donor story collection to support clinical engagement? I’d love to support you.

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