Across NHS Scotland, a wide range of healthcare professionals work together to provide care closer to home. Depending on your needs, you may be directed to a community-based service rather than needing an appointment with a GP or attending hospital.
Community Treatment and Care Services (CTAC)
Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) services provide a range of routine clinical procedures, treatments and monitoring within the community.
These services are organised locally by NHS Health Boards. The services available, where they are provided and how appointments are arranged may therefore vary depending on where you live.
Your GP practice team can advise you about services available in your area and, where appropriate, direct or refer you to the correct service.
Services may include:
- Blood tests and blood sample collection (phlebotomy)
- Wound care and dressings
- Stitch and staple removal
- Catheter care
- Injections and some prescribed treatments
- Blood pressure checks and other routine measurements
- Monitoring associated with some long-term conditions
- Ear care
- Other routine clinical procedures.
Not every procedure is available at every location. Your GP practice or local NHS service will advise you where your care can be provided.
Who Provides Your Care?
Community healthcare involves a range of professionals working together. Depending on your individual needs, your care may involve:
- GPs and Advanced Practitioners
- Community Treatment and Care staff
- Practice Nurses
- Community and District Nurses
- Healthcare Assistants
- Midwives and Health Visitors
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists and other Allied Health Professionals
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Teams.
Where appropriate, healthcare professionals work together and share relevant information to help provide safe and coordinated care.
How Community Care Is Organised
Community Treatment and Care services are organised locally by NHS Health Boards. This means the exact services offered, clinic locations and appointment or referral arrangements can differ between areas.
There is not one national booking system or telephone number for all CTAC and treatment room services.
If you have been advised that you need a blood test, dressing, stitch or staple removal, or another treatment room procedure, the GP practice or healthcare professional requesting the treatment should advise you how and where to arrange it.