Table 2 Community health assets and challenges

Community spirit, people look out for each other

Fears for security in an emergency situation due to remoteness/weather

Resourceful, adaptable community members

Older people have to leave community if their care needs become too great

Low crime, beautiful scenery, a safe place to raise children

Lack of affordable housing

More online working has allowed working people to settle in the communities

Current practitioner about to retire, concern about finding replacement

Personalised continuous care from local practitioners

Current practitioner provides “above and beyond the call of duty”: fear that replacement will not provide a similar service if not contractually obliged

Local health practitioners are social assets and provide preventative care

For practitioners providing 24/7 service, concern of insufficient support, issues of stress and isolation

Flexible, resourceful health practitioners who think and act ‘out of the box’ when necessary

Poor access to patient transport to outpatient facilities in distant hospitals

Responsive air ambulance service connecting community to acute care in emergencies

Confusion about current health services provision: who does what, who to call, when