Chief Executive Fortnightly Blog to NHS Orkney Staff – 16 June 2025

Message for All NHSO Staff 

Dear All

Celebrating our progress, achievements and milestones is important – no matter how big or small – and this last week is no exception.

I want to start this week with more positive news.

I want to extend my extra special congratulations to Moira Sinclair – one of our longest-serving and respected colleagues – who has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours and awarded a British Empire Medal for her commitment to patient care in a career spanning over four decades.

There are few more deserving than Moira, who is an incredible person, leader, and nurse. Moira is one of those people I have regularly turned to for wise counsel, recognising and respecting the experience she brings to the organisation and NHS, which we have all benefited from, as have our community, in abundance.

With just another week until your retirement Moira, thank you for all you have done for our patients and community and the positive difference you have made to so many over the last 40 plus years.

And staying with awards, very many congratulations to Amanda Manson and Anne Gregg who were shortlisted and attended the Royal College of Nursing Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards at the end of last week. Anne was runner-up for the People’s Choice Award and Amanda highly-commended for the Adult Nurse of the Year Award – both of which are exceptional achievements.

And finally for this week, well done to Chloe Crawford, Sharon Keyes and Gina McMahon who represented NHS Orkney at last week’s NHS Scotland Conference and showcased the leading work we’re doing in Orkney in the important spaces of Sustainability and Realistic Medicine.

I am beyond proud to see NHS Orkney colleagues being recognised repeatedly on the national stage and showcasing the great work and progress we are making here. It is being noticed and it is impacting positively in so many ways, including when it comes to recruitment and attraction and improving your experience of working here. And, of course, valuing and recognising staff is one of our People priorities which are committed to strengthening, our focus on recognising this matters to you based on your feedback to us over the last few years which we are committed to listening to and responding to.

Have a great week everyone and let’s keep celebrating and recognising the positive steps forward we continue to make, recognising the impact this has and the lift this gives us all.

Best wishes

Laura Skaife-Knight

Chief Executive