Summerhill Surgery

Policy for Home Visits

A number of visits are carried out by the practice, which we feel are not necessary. These visits significantly reduce the amount of time available to see patients at the surgery. Please remember the time and place of a consultation is the doctor’s decision.

Summerhill Surgery have drawn up guidelines which we hope will help to explain who we will visit and who we expect to attend the surgery.

1. SITUATIONS WHERE GENERAL PRACTITIONER VISITING IS APPROPRIATE

• Terminally ill

• Bed Bound in whom travel by car could cause deterioration in medical condition or unacceptable discomfort

2. SITUATIONS WHERE WE MAY VISIT ALTHOUGH USUALLY WE recommend AN EMERGENCY AMBULANCE

• Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

• Severe Shortness of Breath

• Severe Haemorrhage (Bleeding)

3. SITUATIONS WHERE VISITING IS NOT REQUIRED

• Common symptoms of fever, cold, cough, sore throat, ‘flu’, back pain, earache, headache, diarrhoea/vomiting and most cases of abdominal pain. These patients are well enough to be brought to the surgery by car.

• It is not necessary to keep children with a temperature indoors, going outdoors does not put a child at any further risk. They may not be well enough to walk or travel by bus but car transport would be acceptable.

• Common problems in the elderly such as poor mobility, joint pain and generally feeling ill would also be best treated at the surgery where we have more resources available. The exception to this would be if the patient is bed bound.

• The doctor cannot be expected to spend his/her time on a visit because the family cannot afford a taxi. We suggest that you ask friends or neighbours if they are willing to help you in an emergency.



THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION