Home visits and housebound policy
Whenever possible, we ask patients to attend the surgery. This allows our clinical team to provide safer and more effective care using full medical equipment, complete records and access to other healthcare professionals.
Home visits take significantly longer than surgery appointments and reduce the number of patients we can support. For this reason, home visits are only provided to patients who are clinically assessed as housebound.
Housebound status and eligibility
You are considered housebound if you are unable to leave your home, or can only do so with significant difficulty or risk to your health due to:
- severe physical disability
- advanced frailty
- ongoing or acute illness
Housebound patients usually have serious mobility issues and are unable to attend any appointments, including dental, hospital, or social visits. Housebound status is based on clinical need, not personal circumstances.
What does not qualify as housebound
The following do not meet the criteria for a home visit:
- lack of transport or inability to drive
- no companion or carer available
- childcare or other responsibilities
- personal preference or convenience
We understand these challenges and we will offer practical support where possible.
Support and reasonable adjustments
If you are not housebound but find it difficult to attend the surgery, please speak to our team. We may be able to help with:
- flexible appointment times
- information on voluntary transport or community services, such as Kerswella - Kerswella Care
- involvement of carers or support workers
- a referral to our Health & Wellbeing Team:
Health and Wellbeing – Kingskerswell and Ipplepen Medical Practice
Temporary housebound status
You may be temporarily housebound while recovering from:
- recent surgery
- serious illness or injury
- an acute mobility problem
If you believe this applies to you, please contact the surgery to discuss your situation via KLINIK at Online Contact or by calling the practice on 01803 874450.
Clinical assessment and review
Home visits are provided at the discretion of the assessing Clinician. Each request is considered individually, using a holistic assessment of physical, social, and psychological needs. A patient's housebound status is reviewed if your condition changes.
Community Nursing Team
Housebound patients may be visited by the Newton Abbot Locality Community Nursing Team, part of Torbay & South Devon Healthcare Trust. The team provides specialist nursing care, including access to palliative and end-of-life services.
To contact the Community Nursing Team, please call 01803 219700.
Appointments
To book an appointment to see your GP or nurse, you can go to our Appointments page to find out more information.
If you need help when we´re closed
If you need medical help when we´re closed, then you can call 111.