Home Visits
When might I need a home visit?
Home visits are provided only when a patient is genuinely unable to attend the practice and their medical condition makes it clinically necessary.
A home visit may be appropriate if you:
- Are housebound due to illness, disability, or frailty
- Are terminally ill
- Are severely unwell and it would be unsafe for you to travel
- Are experiencing significant mobility issues that prevent you leaving your home
Requests for home visits must be assessed by the duty doctor, who will decide whether a visit is clinically necessary.
When is a home visit usually not necessary?
A visit is not usually required if:
- You can attend the surgery with help from a friend, relative, or taxi
- The condition is routine, ongoing, or not urgent
- You have minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats, or medication queries
- You are requesting a visit for convenience rather than medical need
- You live close to the surgery but prefer to be seen at home
Seeing patients at the surgery allows clinicians to access full equipment and support, enabling better and faster care.
What happens if I request a home visit?
- When you contact the practice, the receptionist will ask for brief details about your problem and a contact telephone number.
- This information is passed to the duty doctor, who will assess your request.
- If a home visit is agreed, the duty doctor will arrange for the most appropriate clinician to attend.
Please note: this may not always be a doctor. - Contacting the practice via our website is the quickest way to request a home visit
Home visits are arranged according to clinical priority, and urgent cases will be seen first.
If you feel your situation is urgent
Please make it clear when you telephone or when submitting your online form if you believe you need an urgent home visit.
⚠️ If you have a medical emergency, such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or symptoms of a stroke, call 999 immediately.