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Can I request a home-visit from my GP?
Generally, a home visit will only be available if a GP feels that a
patient’s medical condition warrants it – patients cannot demand a
visit.
A GP’s decision on whether to visit a patient at home will depend upon a
number of factors. These include the severity and urgency of the
condition, as well as access to transport, distance from the practice
and their ability to communicate over the phone.
People aged 75 and over are the most likely to receive a home visit.
Older people are more vulnerable to illness, are less likely to own a
car, may be less willing or able to use a phone and are more likely to
be housebound than younger age groups.
The change in site of consultation represents improved access,
convenience to patients and more efficient use of GP time.
The criteria for deciding whether a home visit is necessary have become
more rigorous.
Some of the circumstances when GPs visit their patient at home
include:
- when they're confined due to illness or disability
- when urgent treatment could be administered more quickly by
visiting
Asking for a home visit is inappropriate when it's not medically
necessary.
Doctors are only required to visit a patient at home for medical
reasons, not social ones or for your convenience.
Time pressures - In the time it takes to see one person at home, your GP
could see between two and four patients at the surgery. Wasting time on
unnecessary home visits can delay someone else getting the (sometimes
life-saving) treatment they need. In the past, GPs were able to wander
around their patch dropping in on patients as they liked. Sadly,
pressures of time and more patients needing attention means this is
usually no longer possible. If your GP is to meet the Government's
target of seeing you in the surgery within 48 hours of your request,
you'll have to help your GP too.
What To Do
If you call to request a home visit, your GP will probably phone you
back to find out more about your problem before deciding whether the
visit is necessary. Be prepared to answer questions such as "How long
have you had the problem?", "What treatments have you already tried?"
and "Where's the pain?" It may be that a home visit isn't the best
course of action. It may be suggested that you go to casualty instead or
that you get a medicine from the pharmacist.
If a home visit is necessary, however, you'll get one. While waiting
for the doctor, make sure your phone line is kept free - and if you feel
better or go out, let the doctor know so you don't waste their time. If
a doctor can't get a response when they arrive they may be worried that
you're unconscious inside - and you may return to find your front door
has been broken down.
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Framlingham
Surgery