Real Life Story: Sara Murray – Occupational Health Nurse Manager and Lead Forensic Nurse
After 10 years working in NHS Grampian, Sara returned home to Orkney, and hasn’t looked back.
“Being close to my family and surrounded by beauty no matter the season is what I love most about living here,” she says.
When Sara came back, she started on the hospital bank, drawing on her background in acute stroke and medicine while gaining experience in ED, assessment, rehabilitation, and even community work in the outer isles. She also began working in Occupational Health under NHSG and completed a further degree to become a specialist in Occupational Health Practice.
When NHS Orkney brought the Occupational Health service back in-house, Sara successfully applied for the role of Occupational Health Nurse Manager, setting up and developing the local service. She also played a key role in creating and implementing the Forensic service and sexual assault response co-ordination service for Orkney.
“I’m proud of the contribution I’ve made to the services I lead and the impact this has on staff and the public – improving health and wellbeing and supporting people at their most vulnerable moments. I’ve built fantastic relationships with colleagues, and we support each other through challenges and celebrate the wins together.”
Sara’s proudest moments? Being invited to Edinburgh Castle to celebrate 75 years of the NHS, and receiving a personal invitation from the Queen to Buckingham Palace to honour the work done for victims of sexual assault and rape.