The feedback has already led to a number of improvements and work continues to address longer-term challenges.
Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership thanks everyone who attended the recent community engagement event, raised concerns and shared their experiences of accessing Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) services. The feedback has already led to a number of improvements and work continues to address longer-term challenges.
We heard serious concerns from local people at the community engagement event, including frustration about how recent changes had affected access to care. We recognise the event format did not meet many people's expectations, and we are learning from this for future events. Although some feedback was difficult to hear, it helped us better understand people's experiences and reinforced the importance of community voices in decision-making.
You said we did
You told us:
It was difficult to access local appointments.
Patients were sometimes offered appointments further from home than they would have preferred.
Appointment arrangements did not always take travel, mobility or personal circumstances into account.
There was a need for clearer information about local CTAC services.
There was a lack of awareness that visiting clinics were available in local GP Practices.
We have:
Increased Strachur clinics from fortnightly to weekly appointments from August on a trial basis.
Changed appointment booking processes so Strachur appointments are offered first where appropriate.
Introduced additional checks before appointments are arranged in Dunoon.
Ensured travel, mobility and personal circumstances are considered when appointments are booked through discussion with our CTAC teams.
Made local bus timetable information available to staff when arranging appointments.
Produced clearer information about what CTAC services provide.
What is CTAC?
CTAC provides routine nursing treatments and procedures closer to home, including wound care, dressings, injections, blood tests and other planned treatments. It works alongside GP services, so patients can access the right treatment in community settings while GP practices focus on diagnosis, treatment planning and more complex care.
CTAC is different from Practice Nursing services, which are provided directly by GP practices. Practice Nurses provide ongoing nursing care and support for people with long-term conditions and more complex health needs as part of the practice team. This remains the responsibility of the GP Practice.
Clinic availability across the area
We were also asked to share the availability of CTAC clinics more widely.
CTAC services continue to be delivered across local communities, with clinics currently operating:
Strachur – weekly clinics every Wednesday from August. This will be trialled initially and reviewed regularly.
Inveraray – weekly clinics every Monday.
Mid Argyll – monthly clinics, with dates varying depending on service needs and staff availability.
Work continues
While these early improvements are encouraging, we recognise that further work remains.
The wider review continues, helping ensure future decisions reflect a full understanding of local communities' needs and access to services.
Alongside this, we are exploring longer-term ways to deliver services that provide safe, sustainable and accessible care for local residents.