Home visits are an integral part of the General Medical Services (GMS) contract and are acknowledged as necessary for certain patients under specific circumstances. However, it’s important to understand that home visits are not an automatic entitlement for every patient. The decision to provide a home visit is based on a clinician’s professional judgment and assessment of the patient’s condition.
According to the GMS contract, home visits are required when:
The contract specifies that home visits should be conducted at the most appropriate location, which can include:
The contract also makes clear that home visits are not an obligation in all circumstances. For example, GPs may refer a patient without visiting them first if it is medically appropriate, or they may visit a patient outside the circumstances outlined in the contract when necessary.
In short, while home visits are recognised as an important part of patient care, they are not automatically guaranteed for every patient. The decision is ultimately made by the clinician, who will assess the patient’s condition and determine the best approach to care, which may or may not involve a home visit.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) incorporates home visits into its inspection process and examines them as part of its Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE), which evaluate the overall quality of care provided by a practice. Specifically, CQC looks at the following:
The CQC seeks evidence from practices on how home visits are managed, ensuring that they are available for patients who require them. During inspections, the CQC will focus on:
Practices must be able to demonstrate how they handle home visits, particularly in cases where a home visit may not be the most suitable option.
For further information and guidance on home visits, please refer to the CQC’s official advice on the matter.