[Vella Gonzaga]

Doctors making house calls​

​

Credits: Facebook/Australia Remember When

Who still remembers when doctors used to come to your house? Back then, the family doctor would come right to your door if you got sick. Families would prepare by ironing linens, making the bed, and setting out fresh towels and warm water for the doctor's visit. It's a reminder of a time when healthcare was more personal, especially before everyone had cars. What are your memories of those doctor visits at home? Tell us in the comments below.

 

[Shad]

I remember my older sister was sick around 1957 and my other sister told her to hide from the Dr under the sheets. She misunderstood and hid under the bed and got into trouble.

 

[Benny's Light]

I too as a child remember the doctor visiting at home. My mother-in-law's doctor still visited her at home when needed. She was very healthy right up to when she died last year at 104 (she lived with us from 97 and prior was in her own home fully independent). The doctor visited her for many years. Her doctor though, was old school and in her mid 70s. You do not get that any more. It is all about business with many doctors today. I am lucky I have a great young doctor who will ring after a visit to see if I am travelling ok a couple of days after seeing him. He only bulk bills and is in it for his patients.

 

[Mrtnst]

I don't remember it.

But my mother often talks about how it was before WWII, in the U.K.
Back then the doctors wouldn't even enter the house unless the money was ready and waiting.

But you couldn't hand it to them, you had to put it on a table or chair by the door, so they could pick it up without physical contact with anyone.

Similarly they wouldn't touch the patient, family members had to lift or turn their loved ones over, etc.

Under the doctor's instruction.

Of course, mum's family lived in the slums of Birmingham.

 

[havingadoggyday]

I am 62 and not only do I remember the doctors home visits,but remember our GP coming to the house to pick up my sister at home to take her to hospital to have her tonsils out.We did not live in the bush but in a city town.The ambulance would drive you home after having any sort of surgery too.I remember being driven home from having my appendix out in 1968 and again1970 when I had my tonsils out.
When my boys were little ,the radio doctor would visit them in the 1980s if they were sick after hours.I thought that was still common practice???Anyone else agree?