Argyll & Bute HSCP Care Home Engagement Survey

Your say on the Future of Care Homes

We are planning future housing, care and support for older people across Argyll and Bute. This survey asks what matters most to you, where and how you would like to live, and what support you may need if your circumstances change. Your answers will help us plan the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

The survey is open from 31 August to 14 October 2026. It should take about 10 minutes to complete. The project team will review the answers and share the main findings.

Privacy statement
Taking part is your choice. Your answers will be anonymous, and we will not link them to you. We will use your answers only for this survey. NHS Highland Public Health will analyse and store the responses. We will share them with colleagues only when needed and in line with data protection law. The NHS Highland Data Protection Notice explains your rights and how we protect any personal information you provide: https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Pages/YourRights.aspx

Secure, NHS-approved digital tools, including Microsoft Copilot, may be used to find common themes in anonymous written answers. These tools cannot identify you.

If you have questions about this survey, contact Alison McGrory, Associate Director of Public Health for the HSCP, at alison.mcgrory@nhs.scot.

0% answered

Which of these best describes your household?

Single adult

Couple

Family with children

Multi-generational household (e.g. grandparents, parents and children living together)

Care home resident

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

Please choose the description(s) that most closely describes you (choose all that apply)

Person receiving care

Unpaid carer

Care worker or professional

Interested for family member

Interested for yourself

Community or voluntary organisation

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

Which area of Argyll & Bute do you live in? (choose one)

Cowal

Bute

Helensburgh & Lomond

Kintyre

Mid Argyll

Islay, Jura & Colonsay

Oban & Lorn

Mull & Iona

Coll & Tiree

Outside Argyll & Bute (please specify)

From your experience of care homes in your local area, how would you rate each of the following?

Close to friends and family

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Quality of premises

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Quality of care

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Staffing

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Value for money

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Providing care for older people in Argyll and Bute will become more difficult in the future. Rank these challenges by how important they are in your community. (1 being the most important)

Quality and condition of care facilities

Increasing elderly population

Lack of suitable housing (for both older adults and care workers)

Staff shortages

Budget restraints

Do you think community initiatives and voluntary organisations could play a bigger role in support for the older adults in your community?

Yes

Don't know

If Yes, please describe the kind of support they could provide

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

What matters most for a good life in later years and good social care? (Select up to three)

Being supported to remain at home for as long as possible

Having care and support that meets individual needs

Staying close to family, friends and the local community

Having choice and control over daily life

Feeling safe, respected and included

Taking part in meaningful activities

Don’t know

Other (please specify)

Do you have any other comments about access to care homes, their cost or the quality of care in your community?

Maximum 400 characters

0/400

10.

We want care homes to be close to local communities. They must also be affordable and have enough staff. How should we balance these needs in your community?

Maximum 400 characters

0/400

11.

Population forecasts and current care home bed numbers show that Mid Argyll may need the most extra residential care places, followed by Bute. Do you agree that new care places should be provided in the communities with the greatest need?

Yes

Don't know

12.

If No, please tell us why

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

13.

What do you think about the possible future options for care homes in your local community, as described in the supporting information? You may wish to tell us what you would prefer for yourself or someone you care for, which options may work well in the long term, or any other options we should consider.

Maximum 400 characters

0/400

14.

Do you have any new ideas that could support a good life in later years and improve social care? You can also tell us about ideas that have worked elsewhere. For example, think about help with everyday tasks, activities, housing or childcare for staff, or useful technology.

Maximum 400 characters

0/400

15.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Maximum 1,000 characters

0/1,000

16.

About You - How old are you?

0 - 17

18 - 49

50 - 65

66- 85

Over 85

Prefer not to answer

17.

About You - What is your sex as recorded at birth?

Male

Female

Prefer to self-describe

Prefer not answer

18.

About You - What is your ethnic group?

White

Mixed or multiple ethnic groups

Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian

African, Scottish African or British African

Caribbean or Black

Gypsy Traveller

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

19.

About You - Are you currently married or in a civil partnership?

Yes

Prefer not to say

20.

About You - What religion or faith do you belong to (if any)?

Church of Scotland

Roman Catholic

Other Christian

Muslim

Hindu

Buddhist

Sikh

Jewish

Pagan

None

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

21.

About You - Do you have any physical or mental health conditions that have lasted, or are expected to last, 12 months or more?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

22.

About You - Do you consider yourself to be trans, or do you have a trans history?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

If yes please describe (e.g non binary, trans man, trans woman)