We understand that attending the surgery for regular injections or blood tests may be inconvenient or difficult for some patients, and we appreciate that relatives or carers may wish to help by providing this support at home.
However, the practice is unable to prescribe injectable medicines, including intramuscular medicines such as vitamin B12, for administration by relatives or carers at home. We are also unable to arrange for routine blood tests to be carried out by relatives or carers on behalf of patients.
Some medicines, such as insulin and certain other treatments, are specifically designed and supported for self-administration following appropriate training. This does not apply to all injectable medicines. Intramuscular injections and blood tests are clinical procedures which require appropriate clinical oversight, equipment, documentation and governance arrangements.
Even where a relative or carer is a healthcare professional, the practice cannot routinely arrange for injections or blood tests to be carried out at home on behalf of the practice. This is to ensure that these procedures are carried out safely, consistently and in line with recognised clinical standards, with appropriate clinical records and follow up.
This approach helps us provide safe, consistent and high quality care for all our patients.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.