NHS Orkney staff celebrate 431 years of service (between them) to the NHS at our first Long Service Awards Afternoon Tea
Yesterday we recognised and celebrated 10 staff who, in 2024, mark 40-50 years’ service to NHS Orkney and the NHS at a special afternoon tea.
The relaunch of events to recognise and celebrate Team Orkney for their achievements and commitment to NHS Orkney and the NHS is something we have introduced in direct response to staff feedback over the last year.
Staff who were recognised at our special event for the longest serving staff at NHS Orkney were:
- Marie Wylie, Accounts Payable Manager (40 years)
- Moira Sinclair, Clinical Nurse Manager (40 years)
- Marie Garriock, Registered Nurse (42 years)
- May Leask, Senior Registered Nurse, Inpatient 1 Ward (42 years)
- Joyce Muir, Registered Nurse, Inpatient 1 Ward (43 years)
- Julie Inkster, Vaccination Nurse (43 years)
- Michelle Mackie, Interim Deputy Director of Nursing and Lead Midwife (43 years)
- Linda Tait, Registered Nurse, Day Unit (43 years)
- Patsy Hall, Macmillan Nurse (45 years)
- Diana Smith, Pre-Op Nurse (50 years)
The event was led by our Chief Executive, Laura Skaife-Knight and Board Chair, Meghan McEwen, and it was a special moment of reflection with plenty of story-telling over sandwiches and cakes, after everyone was presented with their long service trophy, certificate and flowers.
Laura said: “Today marks the 76th birthday of the NHS. It was therefore poignant that yesterday we celebrated our longest serving staff at NHS Orkney for their dedication and commitment to the NHS and NHS Orkney over the last 40-50 years. Recognising and celebrating Long Service matters to our staff, to our Board and to me personally. Our long serving staff are the backbone of our organisation, the DNA of the NHS and make the NHS what it is – and NHS Orkney is no exception. I am incredibly proud of all of our long serving staff and would like to recognise their dedication and loyalty over the last four to five decades which is simply incredible.”
Meghan said: “These awards were one of the highlights of the year. I’m delighted that we can recognise and celebrate the loyalty colleagues have shown to the NHS and NHS Orkney for an amazing number of years. We thank all of these staff for the vital contributions they have and continue to make to our patients and our community.”
NHS Orkney has launched a new value and recognition programme for staff in response to feedback, which includes annual staff awards, long service awards and regular thank you events and opportunities.
These awards are possible thanks to the support of the Orkney Health Board Endowment Funds - a registered Scottish charity.
Pictured are, back row left to right, Laura Skaife-Knight, Patsy Hall, May Leask, Meghan McEwen, Linda Tait and Marie Garriock. Front row, left to right, Diana Smith, Michelle Mackie, Joyce Muir and Julie Inskster. (Missing from the photograph are Moira Sinclair and Marie Wylie)