Home visits
Last Updated: Tuesday, 27 August 2024Important: Essential home visits
Except in cases where someone is unable to leave their home for any purpose at all, it is better for them to be seen at the surgery. The doctor has access to the patients full medical record and a full range of medical equipment.
How to request a home visit
Home visits are reserved for patients who are permanently housebound, severely disabled or reaching the end of their life. If a patient would be able to exit their home independently or with the support of a carer in the event of a fire, we would normally expect them to attend the surgery instead. This allows us to see as many patients as possible each day, so a GP may ring you back to confirm that a visit is required.
Home visit requests should be made as early as possible in the morning, preferably before 10:00, because they are completed by the doctor between 12:00 and 14:00. If you feel your problem requires more urgent attention than that, please telephone 999. At present, the majority of our home visits are performed by a dedicated, separate Acute Visiting Service.
The cost of travel to the surgery cannot be a consideration in requests for home visits, so please ensure that you have a system whereby you can access transport by family, friends or a taxi. In almost all cases children can be brought to the surgery where we have the best conditions for examination. Please click here to read our home visiting policy in full.