Chief Executive Fortnightly Blog to NHS Orkney Staff – 18 August 2025

Message for All NHSO Staff 

Hi All

I hope you are all well.

This week I start my blog by summarising the Board and Senior Leadership Team meeting we had last week, which was constructive and helped to further build relationships, which is always welcomed.

We covered a lot of ground in the session, which we hold twice-a-year, including: the national context (Service Renewal Framework, Population Health Framework, Operational Improvement Plan and Public Sector Reform Strategy) our financial position and how we are responding to the challenge we face and our Quarter 1 Corporate Strategy performance. The conversations demonstrated that we have a leadership community here that recognises the challenges in front of us, who are willing to embrace change and embed learning across the organisation and one which is determined to continue our improvement journey taking place across NHS Orkney recognising the path we are on.

I also want to address the pre-recorded BBC Radio Orkney interview I did last week which was a reflection on my time here and the future. I want to be upfront about the messages I shared and the honesty with which I approached the interview, and reiterate the key messages I shared recognising the feedback it has provoked.

First and foremost – I shared some of the examples of progress we can evidence over the last few years and I thanked you all for your continued focus, commitment and hard work.

I was honest that we have a significant financial challenge and a number of clinical services which are not sustainable in their current form/model (pain and ophthalmology included) and that we have an opportunity in responding to the recommendations of the Clinical Service Review to redefine NHS Orkney and transform our services so that we have a sustainable clinical and financial future which is an opportunity for us all to take. I went on to say that we needed to keep services local wherever possible and we will do our best to do so. While the headline was about delivering fewer services in Orkney, this isn’t what I said – rather, I was clear some services are fragile in their current form and that we need to look at sustainable options, local where possible, but based on what is affordable, safe, effective and ensures quality service provision – which means all options need to be explored and carefully considered, which the Clinical Service Review helps us to do (this is coming to our August 2025 Board meeting). I went on to say that I was pleased to be staying in the North of Scotland and that I looked forward to still making a positive contribution to the people of Orkney in my new role at NHS Grampian in the months to come and beyond, recognising the close working relationships between both Boards and the benefits that my knowledge of Island Boards can bring to these conversations given the importance of collaboration between our organisations and other Boards in the region.

I emphasised the importance of continuing the healthy communication and dialogue with our local community, patients and staff as we continue our transformation work and conversations about Public Service Reform and the opportunities each presents for our community.

And on the subject of Public Sector Reform – I shared that I saw this as a significant opportunity to further improve outcomes for our community, reduce duplication, achieve financial sustainability and improve productivity and efficiency and that as a Board, we go into these conversations with local authority colleagues with an open mind and with healthy relationships and that this will be built upon in the months to come. We will involve our community, staffside colleagues and of course yourselves in these conversations as they develop.

I hope you have a good week everyone. Take care and speak soon.

Laura

Laura Skaife-Knight

Chief Executive