If you are poorly and think you need a home visit please phone 01752 842281 and choose option 3 between 8.30am and 10 am.
Home visits are only for the housebound and seriously ill. We cannot undertake home visits for reasons of convenience, lack of transport or simply because a patient is in a residential care home. You may think a home visit by a GP is best for patient care. However, while home visits are convenient for the patient, they actually offer a poorer standard of care compared to surgery consultations. Seeing a patient at the surgery has the advantage of better examination and treatment facilities. In addition we are able to see a greater number of patients at the surgery in the time it takes to do a visit so it is a much more efficient use of time. If you cannot manage the trip under your own steam there is usually someone around with a car who can help you, a taxi is an alternative.
Please give as much information as you can to the Visit Desk. The information will be triaged by a doctor who will decide if a visit is necessary.
Remember you do not have an automatic right to a home visit.
Under their terms of working, GPs are required to consider home visits for medical reasons only.
Appropriate | Not appropriate |
Bedbound | No transport or money |
Terminally ill | Children, young people and anyone who is mobile |
Would result in serious harm if moved | Social reasons or for convenience |