Due to increasing workload and home visit requests, we have had to reexamine our home visit policy, as we are receiving an increasing amount of inappropriate home visit requests. Below are the details of our updated policy.
Home Visit Eligibility
√ Housebound, terminally ill, and palliative care patients
√ Bedbound patients
√ Patients who are unwell in a way that they would be harmed if moved
X Lack of transport is NOT in itself a reason for a home visit
How to Request a Home Visit
Please submit an Accurx triage request on our website, or alternatively telephone our reception on 01937543200 before 11am if you require a visit at home. Please give our receptionists as much information as possible to help the doctors to allocate the priority of house calls.
We would kindly ask that any patients who are mobile including those who use walking aids, wheelchairs, or scooters, see us in surgery.
Please remember that several patients can be seen in surgery in the time that it takes to make one house call.
If the GP feels that your visit request was inappropriate, we may offer you a consultation at the surgery instead (or a video consultation if an in-person examination is not required) and signpost you so that you may use our services more appropriately in the future. Please do not be offended, we have a duty to use our resources effectively for the safety and benefit of all patients.
Home visits may not be appropriate in some circumstances as they can offer a poorer standard of care compared to surgery consultations. This is because of:
- Poor facilities e.g. soft beds, poor lighting, lack of clinical cleaning
- Inefficiency – a home visit journey can mean that a GP is unavailable for patients at the surgery for 30- 40 minutes
- Lack of records and chaperones (required for safe care and examinations)
Examples of Home Visits which are NOT appropriate (not exhaustive)
- Children, young people, or anyone who is mobile – children are portable and a medical assessment at the surgery is appropriate
- Lack of money or transport – this is not a medical responsibility.
- Lack of childcare or been drinking alcohol and not able to drive – this is not a medical responsibility.
- Cannot get out due to severe weather – we are also affected by snow, ice, or severe weather.
- Timed visits between personally arranged appointments – patients who are clearly mobile and able to attend other appointments should attend appointments at the surgery.
- Other help more appropriate e.g. if you think you are having a heart attack or a stroke, please ring 999, if you call the surgery with potentially life-threatening symptoms, we will ask you to call emergency services.
Useful Information and Help - Do I need a Home Visit?
Attend a major A & E department for the following: (not exhaustive)
- A feverish and lethargic (drowsy) child
- A feverish and floppy (unresponsive) infant
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Accidental or intentional overdose of tablets or medicines
- Trauma (including falls) and broken bones
Ring 999 for these life-threatening conditions: (not exhaustive)
- Chest pain (suspected heart attack)
- Suspected stroke
- Suspected meningitis
- Anaphylactic shock (severe allergy)
- Heavy bleeding or deep lacerations
- Fluctuating levels of consciousness or completely unconscious
- Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing with change in colour
- Seizure, fit or uncontrollable shaking
Other options for help:
- Self-care – for minor grazes, coughs and colds, sore throats, and hangovers.
- Pharmacist – for diarrhoea, runny nose, and headaches.
- Minor injuries unit – for sprains and strains, cuts, rashes, stings and bites, road traffic accidents.
- Dentist – toothache, abscesses, gum disease. Ring NHS 111 if you need to find a dentist.
- NHS 111 – general advice, medical help or not sure who to call.
