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New opportunities for 2026!
Are you looking for something new for 2026? Are you passionate about your local community and want to make a difference to the health and care of patients across Orkney? We have the perfect opportunity for you! We are looking for two new Non-Executive Board Members to join the NHS Orkney Board. We’re at the very early stages of the recruitment process and just now are simply inviting you, if you’re interested (even just a little bit), to come along to one of our information sessions below: If you aren’t able to attend the information session but would like more…
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Healthcare outwith Orkney Survey
Over the coming weeks we will be reaching out to a sample of those who have travelled to different hospitals and health centres to receive healthcare to ask more about their experience. Completing the survey will be optional however we’d really appreciate any and all feedback whether positive or room for improvement. If you have travelled to receive healthcare outwith Orkney in the past 12 months and would like to fill out the survey, you can do so by clicking here, NHS Orkney Patient Post-Travel Feedback Questionnaire We’d like to take this time to also remind you of the opportunity…
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Winter Weather Update – 8 January 2026
Following another weather warning in place from tonight until tomorrow, we are asking anyone who feels they can not travel safely to their appointments to please let us know as soon as possible to rearrange. You should contact the relevant team/department to rearrange. Although the majority of our appointments are going ahead tomorrow, some will have to be postponed, all of those affected have already been contacted. Looking at the long range forecast, all scheduled appointments and procedures will be going ahead as planned next week however if this changes we will contact those affected.
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National Waiting List Validation – Patients Waiting Over 10 Weeks
From next week, Thursday 15 January, patients (who are over 16 years old) who have been waiting over 10 weeks for an outpatient or inpatient appointment or who are a return patient waiting past their recall date and who do not currently have an appointment in the following specialities will receive a phone call from The National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) on 0345 646 0565: The phone call will be from a member of the NECU team who will take patients through a short survey asking if patients still need their appointment, followed by a few questions to confirm their…
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Winter Weather Update – 7 January 2026
We have once again reviewed the weather forecasts and travel conditions and like today, intend to go ahead with most planned appointments and procedures tomorrow (Thursday), if you feel it is unsafe to travel to your appointment, please call the relevant team/department to reschedule. However, there are some appointments that have had to be postponed, all patients affected by this have been contacted. Those that have been postponed are where we deemed it was unsafe for patients to travel or where we are experiencing staff shortages due to the ongoing travel disruptions. For information regarding GP Practices, please check in…
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Winter Weather Update – 6 January
We have reviewed the current weather forecasts and travel conditions and intend to go ahead with most planned appointments and procedures tomorrow, if you feel it is not safe to travel to your appointment, please call the relevant team/department to reschedule. However, there are some appointments that have had to be postponed, all patients affected by this have been contacted. Those that have been postponed are where we deemed it was unsafe for patients to travel or where we are experiencing staff shortages due to the ongoing travel disruptions. For information regarding GP Practices, please check in with your individual…
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Winter Weather Update – 5 January 2026
We are continuing to monitor the winter weather along with our partners. With weather warnings still in place for tomorrow (Tuesday), we have reviewed the situation and are in the process of postponing more appointments for tomorrow. We are postponing appointments for those who live outwith Kirkwall and those more vulnerable in our communities and our teams will be in touch with you today. We are going ahead with some appointments so if you have not been contacted, and it is safe to do so, please attend as arranged. However, if you do not feel it is safe for you…
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Winter Weather Update – 4 January 2026
As we continue to navigate the winter weather, we’d like to remind you that our Emergency Department remains open for those with urgent and life-threatening emergencies. To help keep patients and staff safe during sever weather, we ask that you only attend the Emergency Department when it is needed. For health concerns that are not life threatening, please utilise the options available to you. For example, by going online and visiting NHS Inform at https://www.nhsinform.scot/ or by calling NHS24 on 111. We now have an Amber weather warning for snow and ice from 6pm this evening, and on the advice…
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Stepping Down Face Masks
Please be advised, as of today (Tuesday 23 December) we are stepping down the encouragement of mask wearing in our wards. We continue to ask you to please stay at home (where possible) if you are unwell. Please do not visit elderly or vulnerable friends and family until you are feeling better, this includes hospital and health care settings. When coughing and sneezing, please do so into a tissue, dispose of that tissue immediately and wash your hands. More information can be found here on NHS Inform. If you are unwell with norovirus please do not venture out until you…
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National Sustainability Success for NHS Orkney
Earlier this month NHS Orkney was awarded The Sustainability Award at the Scottish Public Service Awards 2025 for leading the way in reducing emissions and improving the NHS’s effect on the environment. A few of the projects which we have completed include: Sharon Keyes, Head of Facilities and NPD Contract at NHS Orkney, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that NHS Orkney has been recognised with this prestigious Sustainability Award. This achievement reflects the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our teams and our shared commitment to a greener future. It proves that even in a remote island setting, we can lead…
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NHS Orkney encourages visitors to wear face masks
As you will be aware, various winter illnesses are circulating in our community and although we aren’t seeing the high rates of flu hospitalisations like other parts of the country, we are taking a preventative approach. You will likely have noticed other Health Boards have already introduced measures such as mask wearing. From today, 15 December, we strongly advise and encourage all visitors to the wards of The Balfour to please wear a face mask when visiting vulnerable loved ones. We’d also encourage those visiting other health and care facilities to consider wearing a face mask, for example in care…
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Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney submit Public Sector Reform proposals to Government
Orkney’s Elected Members, NHS Orkney Board Members and Integration Joint Board all give green light to exploring closer working between organisations Today [Friday 12 December], Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney have submitted joint proposals to the Scottish Government to explore how their services can work more closely together. The proposals follow months of constructive discussions between the two largest organisations in Orkney, aimed at reducing duplication and finding more efficient ways of working. The goal is to make local services sustainable, better for the community and more accountable to the communities of Orkney that rely on them. The proposals,…