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Chief Executive Fortnightly Blog to NHS Orkney Staff – 24 June 2024
Message for All NHS Orkney Staff To Team Orkney Last Thursday it was summer solstice – and the longest day of the year, marking the end of spring and the start of summer and representing a time of renewal, balance and growth. While it may not feel that the summer weather has reached us here just yet, I hope you can all enjoy the summer months, including the annual leave that I know many of us will have booked so we can rest, reset and get the balance we all need. Today’s blog will cover: Our overall performance remains a…
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NHS Orkney roll out ‘Nature Prescriptions’ following success in Shetland and Edinburgh
NHS Orkney has begun the roll out of ‘Nature Prescriptions’, a joint initiative with RSPB Scotland designed to increase patients’ physical and mental health through increased connection with nature. A Nature Prescription is a guided conversation between a healthcare professional and patient which explores how the patient can improve their mental and physical wellbeing through deepening their connection with nature. Alongside the conversation, patients are given a Nature Prescription Calendar which contains suggestions of seasonal activities they can try to help them connect to nature in a way that is personal and meaningful to them. A growing body of evidence finds that…
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Scotlands Health Awards 2024 now launched!
The Scotsman are delighted to host the 2024 Scotland’s Health Awards in partnership with NHS Scotland and The Scottish Government. These awards recognise the contribution of frontline health and social care workers but also celebrate those who work so hard behind the scenes in support roles to ensure we have the kind of health and care services that are vital in achieving the highest quality of care. Nominate today and help us celebrate the extraordinary achievements in Scotland’s health sector. Our 2024 categories include: ● Support Worker Award ● Innovation Award ● Volunteers Award ● Midwife Award ● Allied Health…
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Orkney Macmillan Specialist Nurse, Anne Gregg, awarded MBE for delivering outstanding patient care over three decades
An Orkney Macmillan Specialist Nurse has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her outstanding service to Nursing and the Macmillan Unit and for delivering exceptional care to our community over three decades. Anne Gregg has worked for NHS Orkney since 1993 and joined the Macmillan team in 1999. She has and continues to work tirelessly to provide the very best of care for her patients both in hospital and across the entire community. Anne is highly respected at NHS Orkney and in our community for her work leading the Macmillan team and the…
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Shingles Vaccine
NHS Orkney is encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated to help protect themselves from developing shingles and associated complications, highlighting the importance of coming forward for the shingles vaccination to those eligible. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and it can lie inactive after you recover from chickenpox. The virus can become active again in later life when someone has a weakened immune system due to age, stress, or other illnesses. The shingles vaccine helps build up immunity, decreases the risk of developing shingles, and reduces how serious the symptoms would be if a vaccinated person…
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Chief Executive Fortnightly Blog to NHS Orkney Staff – 10 June 2024
Message for All NHS Orkney Staff To: Team Orkney In this week’s blog I focus on: So let’s get going. I’ve spoken to a number of colleagues since launching our new strategy and values and I wanted to acknowledge and be upfront about some feedback I’ve received. Some have spoken to me about not feeling part of Team Orkney and have raised concerns that we aren’t living these values so have questioned them. First, I’m glad that people have felt comfortable sharing their views with me. I actually agree wholeheartedly with these comments, and this is precisely why we need…
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Message for NHS Orkney staff from CEO, Laura Skaife-Knight: iMatter results
Message for NHS Orkney Staff- iMatter results – some small green shoots…. but much more to do Dear colleague This week we received our iMatter results for NHS Orkney and our results show there are green shoots emerging and some progress to report, though it reminds us of how far we have to go and the work still to do. 69% of you responded to the survey this year and had your say; 10% more than last year. Our Employee Engagement Index score is 75 (74 last year) and your overall experience of working here (scale of 0-10) is 6.5…
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Update on Daisy Villa GP Surgery, St Margaret’s Hope
We are pleased to announce that we have received initial expressions of interest from parties interested in taking over the Daisy Villa GP Practice. Consequently, we are now proceeding to advertise the Practice through a formal procurement process which is expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete. During this process we will not be able to provide further information on this matter. However, we are committed to keeping you, the community, informed and will update you on the outcome at the conclusion of this procurement process. Stephen Brown, Chief Officer for Orkney Health and Care said: “I want to…
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Targeted Phone Scam
We have been made aware of a targeted telephone scam to residents across Orkney. The scammer claims to be calling you regarding your “Covid vaccination” or “following your recent visit to hospital” then proceeds to ask for your life insurance details. Please do not give out any personal or financial information of this nature. The NHS will never request any information regarding your life insurance, medical insurance or your bank details. If you are called, please take a note of the number the scammer is calling from (if possible) and hang up immediately. You can then report the scam call…
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Chief Executive Fortnightly Blog to NHS Orkney Staff – 27 May 2024
Message for All NHS Orkney Staff Dear Team Orkney As we approach June, I hope everyone is enjoying this better weather and has annual leave coming up and to look forward to recognising the importance of balance for us all. In this week’s blog I’d like to focus on: First – our new Corporate Strategy. Our promise (vision) is that we will look after our community and provide excellent care. We have new values (open and honest, respect and kindness) and five strategic objectives that are now our focus; People, Patient Safety, Performance, Potential and Place. Underpinning each of these,…
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Orkney Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Team Visit Buckingham Palace
Earlier this month, Dr Tariro Gandiya, Clinical Lead for Forensics and Sara Murray, Lead Forensic Nurse were invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace by HRH Queen Camila. The reception was to celebrate and thank all of the incredible work done to support the survivors of sexual violence. As well as relaunching Her Majesty’s Wash Bags project in collaboration with Boots and In Kind Direct, which provides wash kits for survivors of sexual assault. The initiative stemmed from a desire to find a practical way to help and provide some comfort and dignity at such a difficult time. Dr Tariro…
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Chief Executive Fortnightly Blog to NHS Orkney Staff – 13 May 2024
Message for All NHS Orkney Staff To: Team Orkney This week I have several updates to share and reflect on. This includes: 1. Celebrating and thanking our nurses and midwives I start with a big thank you to our 246 registered nurses and midwives (22 midwives and 224 nurses) and the 110 healthcare support workers who are vital and valued members of Team Orkney in the week we celebrate International Day of the Midwife (5 May) and International Nurses’ Day (12 May). Thank you for delivering excellent care to our patients and community and for the positive difference you make…