The challenge 

The National Care Service initiative aimed to transform community health and social care by focusing on quality and fairness. Central to this vision was
​'Keeping care support local,' which involved delivering effective services at the community level while addressing unique local needs.​​​

The
approach

During July and August 2023, our team conducted response analysis of the 'Keeping Care Support Local' survey, which gathered insights from 552 participants, including service users, unpaid carers, and healthcare professionals. This inclusive survey design allowed all respondents to influence strategic decisions, ensuring every voice contributed to the development of the National Care Service.

Methodology

Stakeholder Engagement
To ensure the research was grounded in real-life experiences, the project team worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including local disability organisations, community groups, and service providers. This collaborative approach ensured that individuals with lived experience of disability were not only participants but also active contributors to shaping the research process.
Initial workshops were conducted to engage stakeholders in refining the research design, developing relevant questions, and identifying the most pressing areas of concern within community health and social care.
These sessions created a shared understanding of the challenges faced by disabled people—particularly in rural and island communities—and ensured that the study remained focused on issues that directly impact quality of life and access to care.

Qualitative Survey
Building upon the insights gained from stakeholder engagement, the team designed an open-ended qualitative survey aimed at capturing a broad range of perspectives from disabled consumers. The survey sought to gather in-depth reflections on experiences with care and support services, highlighting both strengths and areas requiring improvement.
Participants were adults with various disabilities residing in rural or island communities across Scotland. Recruitment was achieved through partnerships with disability organisations, leveraging established community networks, and promoting participation via social media and local healthcare providers. This inclusive and collaborative recruitment approach enabled the research to reach individuals who might otherwise be underrepresented in traditional data collection efforts.
A minimum of 100 participants were recruited to ensure diversity across disability types, geographical contexts, and care experiences. This representative sample allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the unique barriers and opportunities associated with localised care delivery.

In-depth Interviews
To deepen understanding of the themes emerging from the survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of respondents. These one-to-one discussions provided an opportunity to explore participants’ lived experiences in greater detail, uncovering the nuances of how rural and island living affects access to essential services.
The interviews focused on gathering personal narratives that revealed the emotional, practical, and systemic dimensions of care. This approach helped illuminate the often complex interplay between community resources, accessibility, and individual well-being—offering valuable context for interpreting the broader survey findings.

Data Analysis
The data collected through surveys and interviews underwent a rigorous thematic analysis process. The research team systematically identified recurring patterns, themes, and insights that reflected participants’ priorities and concerns.
To enhance reliability and ensure that the analysis accurately represented participants’ experiences, findings were cross-validated through follow-up engagement with stakeholders. This iterative process allowed stakeholders to review emerging interpretations, provide feedback, and confirm that conclusions were both credible and relevant to their lived realities.
The combination of quantitative reach and qualitative depth provided a robust evidence base to inform strategic decisions and policy recommendations for improving localised care across Scotland.

Impact

​​The thematic analysis highlighted the variability in care quality due to factors such as location and the availability of services, emphasising the need for fairness, consistency, and quality. This approach underscored Scotland's commitment to understanding the multifaceted needs of Scotland's community and contributed significantly to shaping strategic decisions for the National Care Service.