CTAC Service

GO DIRECT: The Community Treatment and Care Service (CTACS) is a nurse led service supporting patients with wound care and treatments requested by medical practitioners.

Contact CTACS directly for: 

  • Removal of sutures / staples after operations or injuries
  • Wound care - all wounds including post-operative, acute and chronic. 
    Please note, if a person sustains a minor injury they should still attend either their GP Surgery or Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) first for assessment. Subsequent wound care can be carried out by CTACS.
  • Ear Care (this service is not available at present, please see self-care advice below).

You may be referred to CTACS for:

  • Vitamin B12 injections
  • Haematology bloods or pre-chemotherapy bloods
  • Doppler assessment.

 Once your GP or Nurse has referred you the team will contact you directly to arrange your first appointment.

Call CTACS: 0300 790 6292   

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Appointments are available Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.

Banner - CTACS
Nurse is bandaging a knee
CTACS - Information

CTACS patient benefits 

  • Patients can access services provided by expertly trained nursing staff  
  • Your GP Practice will be kept up to date on your management, and involved in your care, should it be necessary
  • You can visit any of the CTACS sites, whether there is a service located in your local practice or a site close to where you are going to be during the day.
     

Where to find CTACS

There are two larger CTACS bases located at:

  • East Lothian Community Hospital 
  • Musselburgh Primary Care Centre.

In addition, we have a number smaller sites across East Lothian:

  • Dunbar Health Centre 
  • Cockenzie Health Centre
  • North Berwick - Edington Hospital 
  • Prestonpans Health Centre
  • Tranent Health Centre.


Ear Care / Ear Syringing

Unfortunately the ear syringing service via CTACS is unavailable at present due to reductions in administrative and clinical capacities.

 In the meantime, you may find it helpful to follow the self-management advice below:

The first step in treating problematic ear wax is to soften the wax by using ear drops to see if it comes out by itself. 

If you are experiencing any of the following issues, DO NOT use the self-management advice below.  
Seek advice from your usual Healthcare Provider, e.g., doctors’ surgery, or NHS24.  

  • Altered sensation or numbness in your face
  • Pain in one or both of your ears
  • An ear infection
  • Discharge from the ear
  • A sudden onset of hearing loss.
     
Self Management Ear Care Advice

How to use ear drops:

You can use olive oil (or other cooking oil) drops to encourage the natural movement of wax from the ear canal:

  • Apply the drops whilst lying on your side with the affected ear upwards. Gently pull the outer ear backwards and upwards first
  • Allow one or two drops to fall into the ear canal and gently massage the area in front of the ear. The oil should be at room temperature. Never directly heat oil for use as an ear wax softener
  • Remain lying on your side for 10 minutes to allow the oil to soften the wax
  • After 10 minutes, slowly sit up whilst holding a tissue against your ear to soak up any oil that may leak out of the ear canal
  • Repeat the steps above for the other ear if required.

Please do this twice a day - before getting up in the morning and going to bed - and remember to lie down for 10 minutes after putting the ear drops in your ear (10 minutes per ear).

An olive oil spray is also available, which avoids the need to lie on your side for 10 minutes. This can be helpful if you find it difficult to lie on one side for prolonged periods. Olive oil drops and spray can be purchased from the pharmacy or supermarket.

Things to be aware of or avoid doing

Do not put cotton wool in your ear canal after using the olive oil to keep the oil in the ear, as this may cause an ear infection. Other types of ear drops may be purchased containing sodium bicarbonate or hydrogen peroxide to help break down the wax. However, long term use of these drops can lead to dryness and irritation of the ear canal, so always follow the recommended use on the packaging.

Do not use oil drops if you have been told you have a perforated ear drum, or if you have ever had surgery on your ears that has left a hole in your ear drum or problem with your ear canal.

If that is the case, please contact your usual Healthcare Provider for advice if you are having problems with your ears, or with your hearing. 

Do not use oils containing nut oil if you have a nut allergy.