What is a GP Home Visit?

What is a GP Home Visit?

A GP home visit refers to when a General Practitioner (GP) travels to a patient’s home to provide medical care, rather than the patient attending a clinic or surgery. This service is particularly valuable for individuals who are housebound due to age, disability, acute illness, or chronic health conditions that limit mobility.

GP home visits are a longstanding part of primary care services in the UK, and while they are less common than in previous decades, they remain an essential option for vulnerable patients who cannot access in-person care at a medical practice.

Who Can Request a GP Home Visit?

Typically, GP home visits are intended for patients who are:

• Severely ill and unable to travel
• Elderly or frail with mobility issues
• Recovering from surgery or hospital discharge
• Living with complex chronic conditions
• Receiving palliative or end-of-life care

It’s important to note that home visits are at the discretion of the GP. The practice will assess the medical necessity of the request before confirming a visit.

What Happens During a GP Home Visit?

During a GP home visit, the doctor will carry out a medical assessment in the patient's home environment. This may include:

• Taking a medical history and discussing symptoms
• Performing a physical examination
• Prescribing medication or adjusting existing prescriptions
• Arranging referrals to specialists or hospital care if needed
• Providing advice on managing conditions at home

Some GPs may also carry diagnostic equipment to check blood pressure, oxygen levels, or conduct basic blood tests during the visit.

Benefits of GP Home Visits

The GP home visit offers several advantages, including:

• Personalised, one-on-one care in a familiar environment
• Reduced risk of exposure to infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients
• Better observation of how a patient is managing in their home setting
• Convenience for carers or family members involved in the patient’s care

This service ensures that even patients who cannot leave their homes receive continuous, high-quality healthcare.

Private GP Home Visits

In addition to NHS services, many private clinics offer GP home visits as part of their healthcare packages. These services are ideal for patients who:

• Want faster access to a doctor without waiting for an NHS appointment
• Prefer discretion and convenience
• Require care outside of standard NHS hours

Private GP home visits can often be booked same-day or next-day, and may include follow-up consultations, prescriptions, and referrals