Home visits are for those who are house bound (usually the elderly or severely disabled) or individuals that are so unwell it is impossible for them to travel to the surgery. The average patient takes 10 minutes in the surgery. The average visit (including time there and back) takes 1 hour. This means that most visits are delayed until after a surgery. Hence, your care is delayed and if you are unwell that can feel a long time. No transport or “not well enough to walk down” is not a reason for a visit. By the nature of the service, most people visiting the surgery are unwell and many have to use exceptional means to get us. Ask a housemate to drive you or take a taxi – we appreciate students are hard-up but when you are truly ill it is time to spend a little on your health and access health care as soon as possible.

All patients will be telephoned by the doctor on requesting a visit. The symptoms and situation will be clarified to assess clinical need and urgency – at this point the doctor may give direct medical advice or may make arrangements/suggestions to see you at the health centre,or if felt more appropriate arrange a visit. In a true emergency, within surgery opening times, a doctor will be straight out to you (if an ambulance is not more appropriate).