Do GPs still do home visits?
Yes, not as often .. but, yes.
If you feel that you need a home visit, you should ring your GP surgery to discuss this – and ensure this is done early in the day. You will normally speak to a receptionist first (then perhaps a GP); and it may be appropriate to treat you or give advice based on this telephone assessment, or by using a video call.
Home visits are not there simply because you do not want to leave your home. As a rule, home visits are reserved for bed-bound or palliative patients at the end of life. If a doctor, or nurse, or other member of the team, leaves the surgery to undertake a home visit, this takes them away from their normal duties at the surgery.
If it is decided that a visit is necessary, then you may be visited by a doctor, physician associate, nurse practitioner or a paramedic. Please ensure they have directions and any other information needed to find your home or to gain access (including keycodes).
Please wear clothes that will make it easy to be examined, if required.
If the reason your are requesting a home visit is that you are too unwell to go the GP, you may need to go to A&E at your local hospital.
Summary
We have answered the question ‘do GPs still do home visits?’ Yes, but it may be someone like a paramedic visiting on their behalf (and reporting back to them). We hope this has been helpful.
Hint. If you are the relative of a patient who you think needs a home visit (and they don’t) it is a delicate area. Even though there are confidentiality issues, you should still discuss this with their GP.
