Most patients who need medical care are best seen at the surgery, where we have access to the equipment and facilities needed to provide the highest standard of care. However, we understand that some patients are unable to leave their home because of their medical condition and we continue to offer home visits when they are clinically appropriate.
Who can have a home visit?
Home visits are available for patients who are:
- Permanently housebound because of a physical or mental health condition.
- Temporarily housebound for example; following an operation, serious illness or injury, where leaving home is not medically possible.
Every patient’s circumstances are assessed individually and eligibility for home visits is decided by our team
What does housebound mean?
Being housebound means you are unable to leave your home because of your medical condition. In general, if you are able to leave home to:
- Attend hospital appointments
- Visit the dentist or optician
- Go shopping
- Visit family or friends
- Go to the hairdresser or barber
- Go on holiday
- Attend social activities
You would not usually be considered housebound and will normally be expected to attend the surgery.
When we cannot offer a home visit
Unfortunately, we cannot provide home visits because:
- It is more convenient
- You do not have transport
- You find it difficult to arrange someone to accompany you
- You live in a residential care home, sheltered accommodation or nursing home (this alone does not mean you are housebound)
If transport is the main issue, please contact these local community transport services for support:
Driving Miss Daisy: 0333 014 6211 Ring & Ride: 0121 327 222
We also encourage patients to ask family members, friends or neighbours if they are able to help them attend appointments where possible.
Requesting Housebound Status
If you believe you are permanently or temporarily unable to attend the surgery because of your medical condition, please contact our reception team
You can request an assessment:
- By telephoning the practice 01384 460111
- By completing one of our online forms – we can send this to you via text or email
- By completing a form (paper -based) Click HERE to download the Home Visit Request Form
We will ask you some questions about your mobility, medical condition and ability to leave your home. Our team will review this information and decide whether you meet the criteria for permanent or temporary housebound status. Your housebound status may be reviewed from time to time. If your circumstances change and you become able to attend the surgery, please let us know so we can update your medical record.
How to request a home visit if you are on our housebound register
If you think you need a home visit, please contact the practice as early as possible, ideally before 11:00am so we can plan visits for the day.
Home visit requests can be made between 8:00am and 6:30pm, Monday to Friday by:
- Calling 01384 460111 and selecting the option for housebound patients.
- Completing a medical request form through our website.
Every request is assessed by a clinician before a visit is arranged. Our clinical team will assess whether it is appropriate for you to be seen at home, whether your health issue can be managed on the phone or whether you can safely attend the practice. This approach helps us care for as many patients as possible while ensuring those who need a home visit receive one.
If we have reached our safe clinical capacity for home visits that day, we may advise you to contact NHS 111, who can assess your needs and arrange appropriate care if required.
If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, always call 999 immediately.
Who will visit me?
If a home visit is needed, you may be seen by one of the following members of our clinical team:
- Healthcare Assistant (HCA)
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
- General Practitioner (GP)
Our Healthcare Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners are experienced in caring for housebound patients and work closely with our GPs to ensure you receive the right care.
Our commitment
We understand that attending the surgery is not always easy. By reserving home visits for patients who are genuinely unable to leave their home, we can make sure those who need this service most receive timely, safe and appropriate care while continuing to provide appointments for all our patients.