Requests for Home Visits

Whenever possible, these should be made between the hours of 9am and 10am.

When the Surgery is closed, out-of-hours calls to the surgery are for serious illnesses and emergencies only. Such calls can be requested by phoning the normal surgery number 029 20494250. An answering machine will redirect the call appropriately. Be prepared to give our staff some idea of the symptoms - this information helps the doctor to plan the urgency of his visit.

The out-of-hours calls may at times be attended by a deputising doctor.

To keep the emergency out-of-hours system available your GP must put medical priorities first and may not be able to take into account a patient?s social circumstances, such as transport or child minding problems, as reasons for home visits. Such requests reduce their availability for emergencies.

You may not be well enough to walk or to catch a bus to see your doctor or travel to the Primary Care Centre, but most people are well enough to travel by car. Where possible you could ask friends, relatives or a neighbour for a lift, or take a taxi if you can find no other way of getting to your doctor?s surgery or the Primary Care Centre.
 

Is it the family doctor I need? For some very serious conditions such as severe bleeding, chest pain suggesting a heart attack or severe shortness of breath, it may be more sensible to dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. The ambulance crew provide emergency care as well as rapid transport to hospital.