Home Visit Policy

Policy Lead	Dr. Maryam Abubakar Registered Manager
Version No.	2.0
Date of issue	June 2025
Date to be reviewed	June 2026

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the principles and procedures for conducting safe, effective, and respectful home visits by Camford Medicals staff. It supports our mission to provide hospital-level care in the comfort of patients’ homes and ensure every patient receives clinical excellence with dignity and compassion.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all clinical and support staff engaged in delivering home-based healthcare services on behalf of Camford Medicals. It covers planned visits, emergency follow-ups, post-hospital discharge care, and long-term condition management.

3. Objectives

Deliver consistent, high-quality clinical care in patients’ homes.
Promote patient dignity, safety, and comfort at all times.
Provide smooth transitions from hospital to home.
Support recovery and independence with personalised care.
Ensure safe administration of treatments, including IV antibiotics and medication support.

4. Types of Home Visits

Camford Medicals conducts the following types of home visits:

Hospital Discharge Follow-Up: For patients referred by NHS trusts or hospitals needing ongoing care at home.
IV Therapy and Cancer Care: Safe delivery of intravenous medication or cancer-related treatment.
Wound Care: Regular check-ups and dressing changes to monitor healing and prevent infection.
Chronic Condition Support: Ongoing care for long-term conditions such as diabetes, including monitoring and treatment adjustments.
Medication Support: Ensuring correct use of medicines post-discharge to avoid complications.

5. Patient Eligibility

Patients are eligible for home visits if they meet one or more of the following:

Referred by hospital discharge teams or specialists.
Diagnosed with a long-term health condition requiring home-based support.
Require clinical monitoring that does not necessitate hospitalisation.
Are unable to attend clinics due to mobility or health issues.

6. Booking and Scheduling

Visits are arranged based on clinical need, patient availability, and geographical area.
Appointments will be confirmed in advance, and patients/carers will be notified of the estimated arrival time.
Any cancellations or changes will be communicated as early as possible.

7. Staff Responsibilities

All staff conducting home visits must:

Carry visible ID badges and wear appropriate clinical attire.
Respect patient confidentiality and home environment.
Follow infection prevention and control protocols.
Complete visit records promptly using secure systems.
Escalate any concerns about patient wellbeing or safety to the relevant manager or safeguarding lead.

8. Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Patients have the right to:

Be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion.
Receive clear information about their treatment plan.
Decline or reschedule visits without fear of judgement.
Raise concerns or complaints confidentially.

Patients are expected to:

Be available during the agreed appointment window.
Inform the service promptly of any changes in circumstances.
Provide a safe and respectful environment for visiting staff.

9. Lone Working and Safety

Camford Medicals has a lone working policy to ensure staff safety during home visits. This includes:

Risk assessments for each patient visit.
Real-time location tracking and regular check-ins.
Immediate escalation procedures in case of emergency.

10. Confidentiality and Record-Keeping

All patient information is handled following our GDPR Policy.
Visit notes and treatment records are securely stored and shared only with authorised personnel.

11. Review and Audit

Home visits are regularly audited to ensure quality and compliance.
Feedback from patients and staff is used to improve the service continuously.