TUESDAY, 7 JUNE, 2022

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Photo attached – staff at Blairgowrie CCATS hub

Community Care and Treatment Service across Perth and Kinross

A new Community Care and Treatment Service (CCATS) delivering health services is now treating patients in local venues across Perth and Kinross.

CCATS, which provides a range of care and minor injury services, is now based at seven hubs in the region:

• Aberfeldy – based at Dalweem Care Home

• Auchterarder – based at St Margaret’s Community Hospital

• Blairgowrie – based at Blairgowrie Community Hospital

• Bridge of Earn – Based at Bridge of Earn Hub on Station Road

• Crieff – based at Crieff Community Hospital

• Perth – based at Beechgrove House on Hillend Road

• Pitlochry – based at Pitlochry Community Hospital

The service has been introduced in line with the new national GP contract and as part of the Scottish Government’s Redesign of Urgent Care programme which is changing the way people access urgent care across Scotland.

The development of these centres and the aim of the national programme is to support people to get the right care in the right place.

CCATS delivers a range of non-GP services, including

• complex wound care

• blood sample services (also known as phlebotomy)

• blood pressure monitoring

• leg ulcer assessment

• suture removal

Patients are asked not to self-present at the CCATS centres for these treatments as initial appointments are arranged through local GPs or through follow-up appointments by CCATS staff.

CCATS hubs based in Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie and Pitlochry also provide treatment for minor injury services, including:

• Shallow cuts or abrasions

• Sprains and muscle strains

• Bruises and skin lesions

• Minor burns covering only a small area of skin

These minor injury CCATS hubs operate on an appointment-only basis. Minor injury appointments are arranged through NHS 24 on 111, which is the national helpline set up to do this across Scotland.

The introduction of the centres means that the majority of minor injury services previously provided at the three Minor Injury Units in Perth and Kinross have now been incorporated into the CCATS.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer Jacquie Pepper said, “CCATS provides a more modern model of care which is responding to local people’s healthcare needs.

“Having care and treatment hubs at more locations across Perth and Kinross means that more patients can receive health care and treatment closer to home than before. These centres provide a modern-day service and will also use technologies developed during the COVID-19 pandemic such as online and telephone consultations to enhance patient experience.

“We have already seen the hubs working well in local communities with positive feedback from patients receiving services. The development of these centres, alongside Pharmacy First and NHS Inform, will support the people of Perth and Kinross to get the right care, in the right place by the right person, first time.”

How to get the right care, in the right place:

• If you have a non-urgent health issue, please contact your GP or contact a local community pharmacy for advice

• If you think you need A&E, but it’s not life threatening, call NHS 24 on 111 day or night

• If it’s an emergency, you should call 999 or go to A&E.

For more information, visit NHSinform.scot/right-care

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138