Home visits
If you are housebound, or truly too unwell to come to the surgery, a doctor or nurse can visit you at home. This page explains who home visits are for, how to ask for one, and what happens next.
Call 01274 612 279 to request a visit Please ring before 10.30am if you can. This gives us the best chance of visiting you the same day.Home visits are for people who are housebound or bed-bound — for example, because of serious illness, frailty at the end of life, or a disability that means you truly cannot leave home.
They are not for people who feel a bit under the weather, do not have transport, or find travelling a hassle. We say this kindly: every home visit takes the time of 4 surgery appointments, so we save them for the patients who genuinely cannot come to us.
Is it an emergency? Call 999 — do not wait for a home visit
A home visit is not the right service for a life-threatening problem. An ambulance crew can treat you at home and get you to hospital fast. Call 999 straight away if someone:
- has severe chest pain, or you suspect a heart attack
- has signs of a stroke, such as face drooping or slurred speech
- has severe difficulty breathing, or is choking
- is unconscious, or keeps blacking out
- is bleeding heavily, or has a deep wound
- may have broken bones or a serious injury
- has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
Not sure? Call us on 01274 612 279 and tell the receptionist it is urgent — or use NHS 111 online (opens the NHS website), free and open 24 hours a day.
How to request a home visit
Asking is simple. A quick phone call is all it takes — and the earlier in the morning you ring, the better.
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Ring us before 10.30am if you can
Call 01274 612 279. Requests made early in the day are much easier for us to fit in. If your problem starts later in the day and cannot wait, still ring us — we will always consider your request.
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Tell us a little about the problem
Our receptionist will ask what is wrong and for a phone number we can reach you on. You do not have to go into detail, but the more you can share, the better we can help. Everything you say is confidential.
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A doctor or nurse may ring you back first
This call helps us work out the safest and quickest way to help you. Many problems can be sorted there and then over the phone.
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We arrange the right help
Depending on what you need, that might be telephone advice, a home visit from a doctor or nurse, an appointment at the surgery, or arranging hospital care. The doctor decides whether a home visit is medically needed.
Why before 10.30am? In the morning we usually have 4 doctors available for home visits. In the afternoon there is only 1 — and that doctor is also our on-call duty doctor, looking after urgent problems at the surgery. Ringing early means more doctors, sooner visits, and safer care.
Who home visits are for — and who they are not for
We never want anyone who truly needs a visit to go without one. No patient in genuine need of a home visit will be refused. At the same time, we have to be fair to everyone waiting to be seen.
A home visit may be right if you are…
- housebound or bed-bound because of illness or disability
- receiving end-of-life (palliative) care at home
- so unwell that travelling to the surgery could genuinely harm you
- living within our home-visit area (BD2, BD3 and BD10, plus part of BD18)
A home visit is not usually right if…
- you feel a bit off colour, or have a cough, cold or minor illness
- you do not have a car or transport that day
- you are older, but can still get out with a little help
- a child has a fever — bringing them to us, wrapped up warm, will not harm them and lets us examine them properly
“My mum is 85 — can she have a home visit?”
Age alone is not a reason
We understand the worry behind this question — you want the very best for someone you love. But being older is not, by itself, a reason for a home visit. Many people in their 80s and 90s are wonderfully active. What matters is whether the person can safely get to us, not the number on their birthday card.
Getting out does you good
Coming to the surgery — even with a lift from a friend, neighbour or taxi — keeps joints moving, muscles working and spirits up. A change of scene and a breath of fresh air are good for the body and the mind. If you can get out, we warmly encourage you to.
No car? There are other ways
Not having transport is understandably frustrating, but it is not a medical reason for a home visit. Please think about a bus, a taxi, or asking a relative, friend or neighbour. There is usually someone nearby who will gladly help — you just need to ask.
Why we prefer to see you at the surgery
It might seem like a home visit is the more caring option. In truth, if you can travel, you will usually get better and faster care at the surgery. Here is why.
Better equipment
The surgery has the examination rooms, instruments and testing equipment a doctor needs to assess you properly. A doctor's bag can only carry so much.
Fairer use of time
An average home visit takes about 45 minutes, including travel. In that same time, a doctor can see 4 patients at the surgery. Saving visits for the housebound means everyone gets seen sooner.
Good for you, too
For many people, getting out of the house — even just to see the doctor — is genuinely nourishing for body and soul. We would love to see you here.
Other help if you are housebound
A GP visit is not the only care that can come to you. If you are housebound, these NHS teams also visit patients at home.
District nurses
Wound care, dressings, injections, blood tests and nursing care at home for housebound patients.
Community matrons
Extra support for housebound patients living with several long-term health problems, making sure the right services are involved.
Ask us about this on 01274 612 279.
NHS 111 — any time, day or night
When the surgery is closed, or you are not sure what to do, NHS 111 can advise you and arrange out-of-hours care, including home visits where needed.
Use NHS 111 online (opens the NHS website) or call 111, free, 24 hours a day.
Got a cat or dog? One small favour
We know your pets are part of the family. But please pop them safely in another room while the doctor or nurse is with you.
Some of our team are allergic to animals, some are nervous around them, and everyone needs to stay smart and fur-free for the patients they see after you. Our staff have the right to leave your home if pets are not put away — and none of us wants that. Thank you for thinking of us; we think it is a fair ask.
Common questions about home visits
Can I insist on a home visit?
No — it is the doctor who decides, based on medical need, whether a home visit is the right care. This is set out in the national GP contract. The doctor will always listen carefully to your situation, and no patient in genuine need of a visit will be refused.
What if I become unwell after 10.30am?
Still ring us on 01274 612 279. If your problem cannot safely wait until the next day, we will always consider it. If it is life-threatening, call 999. When the surgery is closed, call NHS 111.
Will the doctor definitely visit on the same day?
The doctor will decide how urgent the visit is after speaking to you or your carer. Urgent visits are prioritised. Less urgent visits may be arranged for later that day or another day. Whatever happens, we will agree a plan with you.
My child has a high temperature. Should I ask for a visit?
A feverish child will not be harmed by being wrapped up warm and brought to the surgery — and it is actually better for your child, because we can examine them properly here. If your child seems seriously unwell, call 999 or take them to A&E. For everyday worries, the Little Orange Book (PDF) has trusted advice on poorly babies and children.
I live in a care home. Do I automatically get visits?
Not automatically — the same rule applies to everyone: visits are based on medical need. Many care home residents still travel to appointments. If you are too unwell or frail to travel, we will of course visit you.
Which areas do you visit?
Home visits are for housebound patients whose main home is in our catchment area: BD2, BD3 and BD10, plus the part of BD18 up to Carr Lane, Low Ash School and Thackley corner. If you live outside this area you can still be registered with us, but you would need to come to the surgery, or call NHS 111 if you cannot.
Can someone else request a visit for me?
Yes. A relative, carer or friend can ring on your behalf. It helps if they know a little about your problem and can give us a phone number where you, or they, can be reached.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Next review due: July 2027
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