Home vsits

Last Updated: Friday, 18 October 2024

How to book a home visit

If you need a home visit, we ask that you contact us as early as possible in the morning, preferably before 10.30am.

You may be asked to provide the reception team with some details regarding why you require a home visit. Please do not be offended by this. This information is needed so that the doctor can assess the urgency and prioritise visits.

When to ask for a home visit

We require patients to call us as soon as possible on the day a visit is needed, ideally before 10:00 so we can ensure enough time is allocated for a visit. Please give the receptionist as much information as possible to enable the doctor to prioritise your visit.

Home visits are only available to housebound patients. The final decision about the suitability for a home visit rests with the doctor. We are unable to advise on the time the doctor will visit so please tell the receptionist if you have any time constraints.

Home visits are reserved for patients who are housebound or if it is considered that their clinical condition is likely to get worse if they travelled to the Practice in a car.

If you request a home visit, you may initially receive a telephone consultation from a Practice Clinician, who will discuss your symptoms with you. The Clinician will decide on the most suitable place and time for your condition to be assessed.

The most appropriate clinician conducts the home visit. This may be a GP, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Paramedic, Physician Associate, amongst other clinicians.

Home visit requests must be made before 10.00am.

If there is a life threatening emergency patients are advised to ring the emergency services directly and dial 999. We do not provide emergency home visits. Requesting a visit from a GP Practice in this situation can delay life-saving treatment.

Life threatening emergencies include the following:

• Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)
• Severe shortness of breath
• Severe haemorrhage (Bleeding)
• Suspected stroke
• Collapse

We encourage all patients to use Telephone Consultation or a Face to Face consultation at the Practice. In the Practice the Clinical Team have access to the full clinical record and access to support services and therefore the consultation is of better quality.

Home visits are not considered an efficient or effective use of Clinician time. Visiting 1 patient at home usually results in 4 appointments being missed at the surgery.

The practice is not responsible for arranging transport to the surgery.

Home visits will not be undertaken for social / transport reasons.

We thank you for your consideration!

When not to ask for a home visit

Please do not ask for a home visit unless the patient cannot make it to the surgery.

Most children can be safely brought to the surgery by car.

A number of patients can be seen at the surgery in the time that it takes to visit one patient at home.