A THREE Towns resident has hit out at a local GP Surgery over the language used in leaflets delivered to all patients.

Elaine Ferguson took to social media to let NHS Ayrshire & Arran know that she was upset about the dialogue, which was in regards to home visits by doctors, and the way it seemingly singled out those suffering poverty or social isolation.

She explained to the Herald: “I have absolutely no objection to general communications being directed to registered patients, whether through the mail, or availability at the surgery. Likewise, I have no objection to the surgery setting out criteria by which they assess patient need for home appointments. I do, however, have significant concerns about the presumptive exclusion of people experiencing poverty and social isolation, from healthcare services.

“The leaflet says that lack of money or transport is “not a medical responsibility” and advises patients that it is their own responsibility, or that of family or friends to address an inability to get to the surgery.

“Saltcoats Group Practice covers areas of significant deprivation - what is a patient without social supports, or who has been left without money following benefit sanctions to do? Likewise, the leaflet is clear that patients for whom adverse weather conditions prohibit leaving home, are not eligible for home appointments because “[staff] are also affected by snow, ice, or bad weather”. The leaflet offers no suggestions as to what should happen instead.

“Given the absence of any meaningful advice on the leaflet - in which the Practice simply washes its hands of these patients - I sought clarification from NHS Ayrshire & Arran on Twitter.”

Although Elaine’s questions were not fully answered via the social media platform, she did acknowledge that it maybe wasn’t the proper platform but she was just looking to be told that it was being looked in to.

The Citizen’s Advice Service points out that the GP has the final call about who will and who won’t get a home visit and how urgently someone requires to be seen but they also state: “If you were to become seriously ill after a GP had refused a home visit, the GP could be found to be in breach of their contract with the NHS, or could be found to have been negligent. You may therefore wish to make a complaint.”

Pam Milliken, Head of Primary Care and Out of Hours Community Response Services, said in a statement: “GPs can only provide home visits when it is medically necessary – for example, for patients who are so poorly that it would cause harm to move them. GP practices, quite appropriately, request that patients who are mobile attend an appointment at the surgery. This makes best use of resources and is for the safety and benefit of all patients.

“Home visits, although convenient for patients, actually offer a reduced standard of care compared to surgery consultations. This is due to unsuitable environmental factors such as poor lighting, as well as the unavailability of records and chaperones. This means attending an appointment at the surgery is the best option for the vast majority of patients.”

Elaine added: “I’m keen to make clear that the care I have received over the the 15 or so years I’ve been registered with the Practice, has generally been excellent, as has the care my family has received. This is why the tone of the leaflet is so concerning.

“Also concerning is that the leaflet, like the response from NHS Ayrshire & Arran, effectively tells patients that are eligible to be visited at home to expect a lower standard of care. As a carer of disabled people, including a terminally ill relative - that received home visits this was not, thankfully, our experience. Really, we shouldn’t be trying to frighten those who the surgery agrees require home visits out of requesting them.”