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ICON Week 2025: Helping Parents Stay Calm When Babies Cry
This September, organisations across the country come together to support parents and carers during ICON Week 2025 (22–26 September). The national campaign shares the important message: “Babies cry, you can cope”. Crying is a normal part of every baby’s development. For many parents, it can feel overwhelming, especially when combined with the pressures of everyday life. ICON Week helps families understand why babies cry, offers practical coping strategies, and highlights the importance of looking after your own mental health. The ICON message is simple: • I – Infant crying is normal and will stop • C – Comfort methods can…
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Two Orkney finalists at this year’s General Practice Awards!
Dr Kirsty Cole, GP at Skerryvore Practice and Lyndsay Steel, Lead General Practice Pharmacist at NHS Orkney are both finalists in the UK General Practice Awards. An outstanding achievement for them both, this event brings together the most outstanding individuals who are shaping the future of patient care and community health. Dr Cole is a finalist in the GP of the Year category. Lyndsay Steel is a finalist in the Extended Team Member category. The Awards are due to take place in December and we’ll be cheering on Kirsty and Lyndsay as well as keeping you all updated. Kirsty said:…
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Winter Vaccines
As of next week, the winter vaccination campaign will commence across Orkney. All the information regarding appointments is below: Getting your winter vaccines is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you, reducing the risk of serious illness and hospital admission. To check if you are eligible for the winter vaccines, please head to, Winter vaccines | NHS inform. For awareness, please note the eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine has changed this year. Dr Anna Lamont, Medical Director at NHS Orkney said “As we enter the Autumn and Winter months, we are seeing an increase…
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System Pressures
We are currently seeing an increase in patients being admitted to The Balfour with various conditions which require admission. Yesterday the decision was made to open the Day Unit to inpatients. This is not a decision that is taken lightly but one that was required. Currently no planned procedures have been postponed however we do anticipate this may change as we navigate a busy week ahead. If planned procedures do need to be postponed, these will be discussed and decided by the relevant team, once a decision has been made, patients will be contacted immediately. We apologise in advance if…
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Waiting List Validation – Patients Waiting Over 10 Weeks
From next week, Friday 12 September 2025, patients who have been waiting over 10 weeks for an outpatient, inpatient or return appointment and who do not currently have an appointment in the following specialities will receive a text message from The National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) from mobile number 07860 039092: These text messages will include a link to a short survey asking if patients still need their appointment, followed by a few questions to confirm their identity. People who are answering the survey on behalf of someone else must provide the patient’s details at this stage. While the majority…
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RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2026
Nominations are now open for Scotland’s most prestigious nursing awards, with the title of RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year 2026 up for grabs. The RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on the best of nursing – to recognise, highlight and celebrate the dedication and outstanding professional care of nursing staff across Scotland. With 12 categories open to individual nursing staff and nursing teams you’ll be able to find a category that will allow you to showcase the amazing work that your nominee does. The awards are open to all nursing staff in Scotland and each…
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NHS Orkney’s 2024/25 Ministerial Annual Review
The Scottish Government monitor the performance of each health board on an ongoing basis and part of the process includes an annual review. Members of the public are invited to NHS Orkney’s Ministerial Annual Review on Monday 6 October from 11.45am – 12.45pm at The Balfour. This is an opportunity for staff and the community to come along to hear an update on the Health Board’s performance and its plans for the future. The meeting will include a summary of how we did in 2024/25 against our priorities and national standards and will cover both our achievements and challenges. The…
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Chief Executive Fortnightly Blog to NHS Orkney Staff – 1 September 2025
Message for All NHSO Staff Hi everyone My final fortnightly blog is one which is bitter sweet, however, I want to leave you with some final, important messages that I ask you to hold on to and reflect on, especially during this period of transition. First, thank you to each and every member of NHS Orkney for your hard work, commitment and everything you do to care for our patients. I know you care very deeply about our wonderful community and want nothing but the best and I have seen this every single day since I have been in post,…
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New Phone System at NHS Orkney
As of Monday 8 September there will be a new phone system in place when calling The Balfour on 01856 888000. You will now be given options of services and departments you can be directed to by pressing certain keys for example, pressing option 1 will direct you to Wards and Clinical Departments. Of course, there will still be an option to speak to our Switchboard Team if you require.
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Organisations come together to host Orkney’s first Suicide Prevention Awareness Event
Next month, Thursday 25 September, will see organisations across Orkney come together to host the first Suicide Prevention Awareness event. This free, inclusive event is open to everyone in the community, not just health and care professionals, and aims to foster hope, connection, and support for those affected by suicide. The event will feature a vibrant community marketplace, showcasing stalls from a wide range of local organisations offering mental health resources, wellbeing support, and information on services available across Orkney. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with support groups, charities, and professionals dedicated to suicide prevention and emotional wellbeing.…
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Interim Chief Executive appointed to NHS Orkney
James Goodyear has been appointed as the Interim Chief Executive at NHS Orkney. It is a legal requirement for every health board in Scotland to have a Chief Executive, an Interim position was agreed with the Scottish Government to ensure this requirement was filled while the substantive Chief Executive role goes out to advert and a robust recruitment process takes place. James will take up his post on 15 September. James is currently in the process of moving to Orkney from Yorkshire and looks forward to being part of the Orkney community, meeting people and exploring the islands. James…
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Phone Line Issues at The Balfour
*Now Resolved – Please be advised the phone issues have now been fixed. Phone calls should now be made to The Balfour via the usual Switchboard number, 01856 888000. Thank you for your patience.* Please be aware that NHS Orkney is currently experiencing phone line issues affecting all incoming and outgoing phone calls via switchboard to 01856 888000. Our teams are working to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. During this time, please only call switchboard if your call is urgent, if you do need to contact switchboard, please call on 07795453757. We appreciate your cooperation.