People who have to visit people's homes

[Captaincolonelneitherimboth]

Inspired by another thread but not a thread about a thread! For people who in their role have to visit homes of less desirable areas, high crime / anti social behaviour etc how do you feel about that? Can you refuse to visit based on certain postcodes etc if you are a midwife/health visitor for example? I have name changed and have no one to ask in real life.

I dont work in health but do visit risky areas/homes and we can request to do joint visits with a colleague

Thanks for replying. Would you feel safe even if there is 2 of you though? Have you ever felt the need to exit somewhere quickly?

I have worked in a very deprived area as a community nurse. On the whole I felt very safe and most of the people I saw were pleased to have me in their home as it was providing care.
We risk assessed at every visit, and did two nurse visits if we didn’t feel comfortable. That was usually when there was drug use or threatening behaviour. We had a contract with the patient and family that we expected to be safe on the visits and if this was not the case, we could withdraw care.
There were some healthcare teams in the same city that had police escorts to attend some areas of the community.

No of course you can’t choose to not visit due to a certain postcode, thought you would attend in pairs if the risk assessment deemed it necessary, however not based on the post codes.

Yes, certain areas do have a double handed visit, not because two people are required to do the service but for safety reasons.

AHH okay I didn't know the police could assist as well!

Only in very extreme circumstances. I never had a police escort!