Sending Flowers To A Hospital: A Step-By-Step Guide

Sending flowers to a hospitalized loved one is a thoughtful gesture that can brighten their day and serve as a constant reminder of your care and support. While sending flowers to a hospital is a relatively straightforward process, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your gift arrives without a hitch and is well-received by the recipient. In this paragraph, we will discuss the steps to take when sending flowers to a hospital, including choosing the right flowers, placing your order, and providing the necessary information for delivery.

Check hospital flower policies and the patient's room assignment

Sending flowers to a hospitalised friend or loved one is a thoughtful and uplifting gesture. However, before placing an order, it is important to check the hospital's policies on flowers and the patient's room assignment.

Firstly, it is crucial to determine whether the hospital allows flowers in patient rooms. Some hospitals prohibit flowers due to concerns about allergies, infection, and safety risks to electrical equipment. Others have designated areas for flowers, such as a florist on-site or a patient information desk. In recent years, many hospitals have relaxed their restrictions, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), recognising the positive impact of flowers on patients' morale and healing.

To check the hospital's flower policy, it is recommended to call the hospital directly and inquire about their specific rules. Some hospitals may provide this information on their website or through a quick phone call to the main hospital line. It is important to respect the hospital's policies and consider alternative gifts, such as fruit or chocolates, if flowers are not permitted.

Once you have confirmed that the hospital allows flowers, the next step is to obtain the patient's room number. This information is essential for ensuring the flowers reach the intended recipient. If you are unsure of the room number, florists can assist by contacting the patient visitor information desk to verify the details. However, if the patient has requested confidentiality, the hospital staff may not be able to confirm their room assignment. In such cases, providing the patient's full name and ward information can help hospital reception locate them and ensure proper delivery.

By taking the time to check the hospital's flower policies and obtaining the patient's room assignment, you can ensure that your thoughtful gift of flowers reaches the intended recipient and brightens their hospital stay.

Choose a florist that specialises in hospital deliveries

Sending flowers to a hospitalised loved one is a great way to express your love, support, and well wishes. It is a thoughtful gesture that can make a world of difference and brighten their hospital room.

When choosing a florist, it is advisable to opt for one that specialises in hospital deliveries. Local florists with experience in hospital deliveries, such as those offered by Teleflora, know the protocol for each neighbourhood hospital. They are familiar with hospital delivery protocols, including any restrictions on flowers or plants due to allergies or hygiene concerns, especially in intensive care units. This knowledge ensures your floral gift arrives safely and complies with hospital regulations.

Florists specialising in hospital deliveries can also guide you in selecting the most suitable floral arrangements. They may suggest compact arrangements that are more convenient in limited hospital spaces. These florists can also recommend low-maintenance plants, such as orchids or succulents, as longer-lasting alternatives to cut flowers. Additionally, they can advise on scent-free flowers, such as dahlias, hibiscus, or tulips, to avoid triggering allergies or sensitivities in confined hospital rooms.

Specialist florists can also assist with delivery logistics. They can help confirm the patient's room number and coordinate with hospital staff to ensure successful delivery. Some florists may even offer same-day delivery, ensuring your get-well wishes reach your loved one promptly.

By choosing a florist that specialises in hospital deliveries, you can benefit from their expertise and guidance, ensuring a smooth and worry-free process as you send your well-wishes to your loved one.

Pick the right flowers and colours

Flowers are a wonderful way to express your love and support for someone in hospital. They are a symbol of your care and concern and can brighten up a dull hospital room. When picking flowers to send to a hospital, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you should be mindful of any allergies the patient may have, as well as hospital policies on flower deliveries. Some hospital wards do not allow flowers at all, particularly the Intensive Care Unit, so it is worth checking with the hospital first. If flowers are not allowed, you could consider sending a plant instead, such as Teleflora's Good Luck Bamboo plant, or a balloon.

Once you have confirmed that flowers are allowed, you can start thinking about the type and colour of flowers to send. Roses are a classic choice and their colours convey distinct meanings. Red roses represent love and respect, pink roses express thankfulness, and yellow roses symbolise happiness and companionship. Carnations are another popular option for get-well-soon flowers, with their ruffled petals and sweet fragrance. The different colours of carnations also carry different meanings; red symbolises admiration, white represents pure love and innocence, and pink stands for a mother's undying love. Sunflowers are also a bright and cheerful option, reflecting your wish for a quick recovery. For a more sophisticated and graceful choice, lilies symbolise humility, devotion, love, luxury, and strength. Mums, or chrysanthemums, are another vibrant and enduring option, symbolising devoted love and loyalty. Each colour of mum has its own unique meaning, so you can choose the one that best expresses your sentiments.

When selecting your flowers, it is a good idea to look for flowers with woody stems, as these will not get soggy quickly and will reduce the need for hospital staff to frequently change the water. You should also keep the size of the arrangement to a minimum, opting for a small, front-facing vase that can be tucked against the wall and out of the way. A durable vase is also recommended, as glass or ceramic vases may easily break in a busy hospital room. Finally, remember to give the flowers a good rinse before sending them to the hospital to remove any bugs or grime.

Include a heartfelt message

Sending flowers to a hospitalised loved one is a great way to express your love, support, and well wishes. Flowers have been shown to bring about a positive mood and brighten their room. They can serve as a constant reminder of how much you care.

When sending flowers to a hospital, it is important to include a heartfelt message to let the recipient know you're thinking of them. This can be a thoughtful get-well-soon message or a simple expression of your well wishes. You can also add a personal touch by including their birth flowers and favourite colours in the bouquet.

If you are unsure of what to write, here are some ideas for heartfelt messages to include:

• "Thinking of you during this time. Wishing you strength and a speedy recovery."
• "I hope these flowers brighten your day and remind you that you are loved and supported."
• "Get well soon, my dear friend. I'm thinking of you and sending all my love and positive energy your way."
• "I hope these flowers bring a smile to your face and brighten your hospital stay. Looking forward to seeing you back on your feet soon!"

Remember to keep your message sincere and heartfelt, and personalise it according to your relationship with the recipient.

Add balloons or a stuffed animal

Flowers are a great way to show your encouragement and support for a hospitalized loved one. They can brighten their room and serve as a reminder of how much you care. If you want to make your gift even more special, you can add balloons or a stuffed animal to the bouquet.

When selecting a bouquet, consider choosing one with bright, cheerful colors, such as hot pink gerberas and orange roses, or an assortment of white and yellow daisies and yellow roses. You can also opt for a classic contemporary bouquet with a retro-style ceramic planter. Adding balloons or a stuffed animal to any bouquet will make it stand out and bring a smile to your loved one's face.

It is important to note that, for safety reasons, latex balloons are not permitted in hospitals due to possible allergies. Instead, choose mylar balloons, which are acceptable. These balloons stand out on a bedside table and can be enjoyed from a distance. If you're concerned about allergies, you could also opt for a stuffed animal or plush toy as an alternative to balloons. However, keep in mind that some hospitals may not encourage stuffed animals due to dust and pathogen concerns, especially in rooms with patients who have compromised immune systems.

When placing your order, make sure to specify the name of the hospital, ward, and room number to ensure your gift reaches the intended recipient. If you are unsure of the room number, florists can attempt to contact the patient visitor information desk, but keep in mind that hospitals may refuse delivery if the patient is registered as non-disclosure with no information provided. Some areas of the hospital, such as the Intensive Care Unit, may also not accept floral deliveries due to potential allergies, so consider sending the bouquet to the recipient's home instead.

By adding balloons or a stuffed animal to your floral gift, you can create a thoughtful and memorable present that will lift the spirits of your loved one during their hospital stay.

Frequently asked questions