NHS Orkney appoints new Director

David McArthur has been appointed as NHS Orkney’s Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Professionals. David has worked for NHS Orkney since 2016 as the Practice Development Manager in Theatres and has been a positive influence on care standards across the Professions. Prior to taking up appointment in the Balfour Hospital he was the Chief Executive for Trefoil House, an international charity based in Edinburgh.

David trained and practiced initially as a Psychiatric Nurse in Glasgow in the early 1980’s and then trained as a General Nurse. He is an Operating Theatre and Acute Care specialist by background. He has worked in a variety of settings in the NHS, the Third Sector and has deployed on a number of occasions as an Army Reservist to Afghanistan and Iraq. His last deployment was as the Commanding Officer of the Hospital in Camp Bastion in 2010.

Currently he is the Head of the Army Medical Services Reserve in the rank of Brigadier and Queens Honorary Nurse. He was until recently the Military medical Liaison Officer to Scottish Government.

He is married to CarolAnn, they have three children, one of whom is married and the other two will come with them to Orkney when the family moves here.

David said: “I am really looking forward to getting to grips with my new role. The development of our new hospital and healthcare facility means this a really exciting time to be part of NHS Orkney. Our nurses, midwives and AHPs provide the highest level of care and meet the challenges of working in a remote and rural location with skill and good humour.”

Chief Executive Cathie Cowan said: “I am delighted that David has accepted the post of Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals. David has worked with us for just under two years and during this time he has made a substantial contribution to services here in NHS Orkney. David is an experienced and influential leader. His combined strong clinical background, third sector and MOD including Scottish Government experience will be of huge value as we work more with partner organisations to deliver care and services. He will be a great asset as we prepare for the move into the new Hospital and Healthcare Facility and beyond.”