Home Visits

Home Visits

We’re here to help

We understand that when you’re feeling unwell, travelling to the surgery can sometimes feel difficult. Our team is here to support you and will always consider your individual circumstances when deciding the best way to care for you.

When we can offer a home visit

Home visits are available for patients who are unable to attend the surgery due to medical reasons, such as:

• Being confined to bed
• Living with a serious or terminal illness
• Being too unwell to travel safely

If this applies to you, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

How to request a home visit

If you think you may need a home visit, please:

• Call reception before 10:00am where possible
• For urgent same-day requests, call 01462 453232 before 10:30am
• A doctor will usually call you back to understand your needs and assess urgency

Please try to keep your phone nearby, as this helps us respond as quickly as possible. If we’re unable to reach you, it may delay or prevent a visit.

Why we may ask you to come into the surgery

Whenever possible, we encourage patients to attend the surgery. This is because:

• We have better equipment and facilities to examine and treat you
• We can often see you more quickly
• Our wider team is available to support your care

Even if you feel unwell, attending the surgery often allows us to provide safer and more effective treatment.

When a home visit may not be the best option

We may ask you to come into the surgery if:

• You are able to leave your home, even with support (such as walking aids or a wheelchair)
• The difficulty is related to transport, childcare, or convenience rather than medical need
• There are more suitable services available to help you

If you’re unsure, please call us—we’re happy to guide you.

In an emergency

If you think you may be experiencing a serious condition such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe breathing difficulties, please call 999 immediately.

Using our home visit service fairly

Home visits take significantly more time than surgery appointments. In the time it takes to carry out one visit, a doctor may be able to help several other patients in the practice.

By reserving home visits for those who need them most, we can make sure all our patients receive timely and appropriate care.

A final note

If we feel a home visit isn’t the most appropriate option, we will always explain why and help you access the care you need in another way. Our priority is to provide safe, effective, and fair care for everyone.