Home Visit Policy

Last updated: 10 October 2025

Purpose

This policy explains when a home visit by a clinician may be appropriate. It aims to ensure patient safety and the effective use of clinical resources.

Home visits are reserved for patients who are medically housebound or whose condition prevents safe travel to the surgery. Eligibility is based on clinical need, not convenience or lack of transport.

When a Home Visit May Be Appropriate

A clinician may carry out a home visit if the patient meets all of the following conditions:

• The patient is housebound due to illness or disability and cannot leave their home without specialist transport or medical support.
• Travelling to the surgery would pose a significant risk to their health or cause serious deterioration.
• The required assessment or treatment can be reasonably carried out at home.

Examples include:

• Patients receiving palliative or end-of-life care at home.
• Patients with severe mobility issues who are unable to leave their home under any circumstances.
• Patients who are acutely unwell, bedridden, and whose condition would significantly worsen with travel.

When a Home Visit Is Not Appropriate

A home visit will not normally be offered in the following situations:

• The patient is not medically housebound and can attend the surgery with assistance from relatives, carers, or transport services.
• The request is made for convenience or preference rather than clinical need.

Examples include:

• Lack of transport or childcare.
• The patient attends appointments at other NHS services, such as hospital clinics.

Requesting a Home Visit

• Requests for home visits should be made before 10:30 AM where possible.
• A clinician may call the patient or carer to assess whether a visit is clinically appropriate or if another option (e.g. telephone consultation or same-day surgery appointment) would be more suitable.
• Home visits are carried out by the most appropriate clinician, which may include a GP, nurse, paramedic, pharmacist, or GP trainee.
• All home visit decisions are based on clinical judgement and individual patient circumstances. Exceptions may be made at the GP’s discretion.