Home Visit Policy

Warwick Family Medical home visit policy.

Purpose

To ensure patients who are unable to attend the practice continue to receive appropriate medical care while maintaining the safety of staff and the efficient operation of the practice.

Scope

This policy applies to all general practitioners, nurses, reception staff and practice management.

Policy Statement

Warwick Family Medical is a small practice. Due to practitioner availability, patient demand within the clinic, staffing levels and clinician safety considerations, the practice does not routinely provide home visits.

The practice will consider requests for home visits only where they are clinically appropriate, safe and reasonable, and where resources permit.

Eligibility for Consideration

A home visit may be considered for regular patients who:

Are temporarily or permanently housebound due to illness or disability.
Are receiving palliative or end-of-life care.
Have significant mobility impairment preventing attendance at the practice.
Have another exceptional clinical circumstance where a home visit is considered necessary by the treating GP.

Home visits are not guaranteed and remain at the discretion of the treating GP.

Circumstances Where Home Visits Will Not Usually Be Provided

Home visits will generally not be undertaken where:

The request is for convenience only.
The patient is able to safely attend the practice.
The location is outside the practice’s usual service area.
The clinician considers there is an unacceptable personal safety risk.
The practice does not have sufficient clinical capacity on the day.

Staff Safety

The safety of clinicians and staff is paramount.

Home visits will not proceed where there is concern regarding:

Aggressive or threatening behaviour.
Unsafe premises.
Presence of violence or illegal activity.
Unsafe animals.
Any circumstance that places staff at unreasonable risk.

The GP may cancel or terminate a visit if safety concerns arise.

Alternative Care Arrangements

Where a home visit cannot be provided, staff will assist patients by directing them to the most appropriate service, which may include:

An appointment at the practice.
A telehealth consultation where clinically appropriate.
Local after-hours medical services.
Residential aged care medical services (where applicable).
Calling 000 in a medical emergency.
Referral to the nearest emergency department if urgent assessment is required.

Procedure

Reception staff record all requests for home visits.
The request is referred to the treating GP.
The GP assesses:
– Clinical need.
– Patient mobility.
– Safety considerations.
– Availability of clinicians.
The GP determines whether:
– A home visit will be undertaken;
– A telehealth consultation is appropriate; or
– Another healthcare service is recommended.
The decision and any advice provided are documented in the patient’s clinical record.

Communication

Patients are informed that:

Home visits are not routinely available.
Requests are assessed individually.
Alternative arrangements will be offered whenever possible.

This information is available through reception staff, the practice website (if applicable), and new patient information.

Responsibilities

General Practitioners

Assess clinical appropriateness.
Determine whether a visit is safe and reasonable.
Document decisions.

Reception Staff

Record requests accurately.
Refer requests promptly to the GP.
Communicate the GP’s decision and alternative care options.

Practice Manager

Maintain this policy.
Ensure staff are familiar with the procedure.
Review the policy as part of continuous quality improvement.

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