If you think an immediate visit is required, please tell the Clinical Administrator. In cases of major injury or critical condition, please consider going directly to your local Casualty department, at Chalmers Hospital, Banff, or call an ambulance by dialling 999.
Home Visits are not about transport issues
You can get help with transport
Home visits will be carried out by our Advanced Nurse Practitioners or Emergency Care Practitioners
Telephone Requests Only – Call before 09:45
Our GP Practice is keen that we make the best use of our clinical staff allowing them to provide the most appropriate care to those most in need. For the vast majority of patients attending an appointment at the Surgery is the best option for them and for the Practice staff. Attending a surgery allows our clinical team to see many more patients in a day than if we are undertaking home visits. 4-6 other equally needy patients could be seen in the time it takes for a home visit. The home visits will be carried out by our Advanced Nurse Practitioners or Emergency Care Practitioner and not a GP.
- Doctors are only able to consider home visits for the most serious medical reasons only.
- If you think you qualify for a home visit, please ring before 09:45 am.
- All visits requested will be Clinically Triaged in order to check if a home visit is appropriate.
- The GP may telephone, ensure you leave a current mobile number to be contacted on. Our calls will show as having No Caller ID.
If you think you may need a home visit
We would kindly ask any patient who is mobile (including using a walking aid, wheelchair or scooter) to see us in the surgery. If you are poorly and think you need an urgent same day visit, please call the Practice before 09:45.
Always provide a current landline/mobile number that the Doctor can reach you on.
Home visits, whilst convenient for patients, actually offer a poorer standard of care compared to surgery consultations. This is because of:
- Poor facilities
- Poor lighting
- Hygiene and the increased risk of the transfer of infection
- Lack of immediate access to medical records and chaperones (required for safe care and examination)
The majority of consultations during home visit could easily and safely be carried out in the surgery.
