I think care for patients over 60 with several chronic conditions could be improved, when requesting a home visit I have to speak to a gp first for him/her to decide wether this is warranted, I am then made to feel guilty when I have to say I cannot make it into the surgery, I am not someone who asks for lots of visits but surely there could be a system in place to raise a flag for older, frail patients with chronic conditions? It cannot be difficult to set something like this up surely? The way of dealing with requests for home visits has really put me off asking for them. I have made 3 requests in the last year and all warranted, I was unable to walk due to severe pain and swelling with rheumatoid arthritis and being unable to get a call back from the rheumatology dept. I also have copd and hypertension and a hiatus hernia.some days I cannot dress or walk and I can’t bear being put under a microscope for a home visit. Yes I do realise a gp can see several patients in the time it would take to see one at home but when you are in pain you can’t think about that.
Original Comment Report...