Patient told 'no home visits' just days after major cancer surgery

A 79-year-old woman recently released from hospital has been refused home visits by her doctor because she is staying temporarily just a few hundred yards the wrong side of the surgery's boundary.

Doreen Blanthorn was released from hospital last week after an operation to remove a large tumour from her bowel. She is currently staying with her daughter, at the Green, off Royle Road in Castleton, while she recovers from the operation.

Mrs Blanthorn contacted her GP at Cutgate surgery to arrange home visits while she gets better, only to be told that her doctor could not come to her daughter's home because it is a few hundred yards the wrong side of the Sudden junction, which marks the boundary of the surgery's catchment area.

If a doctor from Cutgate was to travel to Mrs Blanthorn's daughter's house they would have to travel just one tenth of mile further than they would normally have to to visit her at her own home in Shawclough.

"I was very distressed when my doctors told me they couldn't visit," said Mrs Blanthorn. "I've been with them for forty years and they have always been excellent but I'm not sure whether I'll go back to them now. I'm only planning to stay here until I get better then I'll be moving back home. I could change doctors but what if the boundary of the new one doesn't reach my house?"
 
Mrs Blanthorn is currently using her daughter's doctor and while she says that he has been excellent, Mrs Blanthorn is worried that he doesn't know the full history behind her treatment and does not have access to her medical notes.

Rochdale Online contacted the Rochdale Patient's Council about the situation. Chairman Paul Mainwaring said: "I suppose a boundary is a boundary, you have to draw the line somewhere, so technically the GP is not doing anything wrong, but the rules need to be more flexible, especially in a scenario like this where the patient hasn't moved home permanently. She shouldn't have to change doctor for what could be just a few days or weeks."

A spokesman for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust said: “It would be inappropriate to make any comment on this matter without knowing the full details of the case – however, if the patient concerned would like to contact our Patient Advice & Liaison Service our trained counsellors will be able to help in getting more information. The team can be contacted on (FREEPHONE) 0800 121 4430.”