NHS Orkney appoints new Executive Director of Nursing and Acute Services - 8 November

NHS Orkney is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Executive Director of Nursing and Acute Services.

Samantha (Sam) Thomas, who has a wealth of experience, will be starting her role in January 2023.

Sam qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1997 and has spent the last 25 years working in the NHS in both England and Scotland, including a four-year period where she was based in Eday. Sam’s clinical experience is varied with time spent in Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Respiratory Medicine, Medical Education, and latterly as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in both acute-based settings and primary care.

As the Chief Nurse for Moray, Sam’s portfolio includes Dr Gray’s Hospital, three Community Hospitals, Community Nursing, Health Visiting, and School Nursing, the Immunisation teams, Palliative Care Services, Custody Health Care provision, and oversight of Care Homes and Care at Home Services provided in Moray.

Sam is also the professional Nursing lead for Out of Hours Care across NHS Grampian.

Board Chair Meghan McEwen and Interim Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “We are thrilled that Sam will be joining us in January. She brings with her a wealth of experience and we know that she will be an asset to the board.

“Sam has already experienced living and working in Orkney so we are delighted that she has accepted this role. We look forward to working with Sam soon.”