Chest pain, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness are emergencies please dial 999 for these symptoms
Requesting a Home Visit
Requests for visits must be made before 10.30am and at the latest 12noon. Please only request home visits if you are incapable of attending the surgery.
Patients who are able to leave home for other reasons would be expected to attend the surgery for appointments.
If a patient is encouraged to come into the surgery, it is often on the basis that this is where the best care can be provided. Completing home visits is also more time consuming for our GPs.
Whenever possible, try and come into the surgery as facilities here are far better for examination and treatment. It helps us to judge the urgency of the call if you describe the symptoms. The receptionists are trained to deal with your call so do expect to be asked. All information is confidential. The doctor may telephone prior to, or instead of, visiting. Visits requested later in the day that are for the housebound, but are not urgent, will not be seen that day. Ring early if you wish for a routine call if you are housebound.
Children
Sick children will always be seen as soon as possible if brought into the surgery; it is not appropriate to wait for a visit. We rarely visit children at home as a responsible adult should be available to bring them to the surgery.
In most instances patients can travel, especially children (it is not harmful to wrap up a child with a fever and bring them to the surgery).