NHS Highland

20/11/2025

If you are eligible, appointments are available for Adult Flu and Covid vaccinations at Lybster Village Hall on Tuesday 25 November 2025.

Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community as we head into winter.

📅 Book your slot today via the local Service Delivery Centre
📞 0800 032 0339 (voicemail available outside hours)
📧 nhsh.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot

Or call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 or book online.

20/11/2025

2024-25: A year of transformation 💙

Despite challenges, we've delivered improvements for communities across the Highlands and Argyll & Bute 🏔️

THIS YEAR'S HIGHLIGHTS:

🏆 Top mainland board for psychological therapies - 90% seen within 18 weeks
⏱️ Slashed musculoskeletal (MSK) waiting times from 60 weeks to just 8 weeks
🏡 Expanded Hospital at Home - bringing care to your doorstep
💪 100+ colleagues completed leadership training
🤝 Working with communities to co-design services
💰 Delivered £62m in savings while improving care

Our MSK Community Appointment Day brought 15 partners together to deliver - 4.75/5 patient rating and 43% signed up for fitness classes on the spot! 🎉

Strategy ✓ Sustainability ✓ Service Excellence ✓

Together we're building the future of healthcare in the Highlands 💙



Alt text: Our Chair, Sarah Compton-Bishop presenting the Annual Review in Aviemore with British Sign Language support.

19/11/2025

We apologise for the late notice, but the adult flu and covid vaccination clinic in Bonar Bridge, today, Wednesday 19 November has been cancelled due to adverse weather causing travel disruption.

The clinic is being rescheduled at Migdale Hospital from 13:30–16:00 on 1 and 15 December.

If you had an appointment, the local Service Delivery Centre will contact you to rearrange. You can also reach them directly:
📞 0800 032 0339
📧 nhsh.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot

Alternatively, book online or call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

18/11/2025

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) marked a major milestone at their recent graduation on Thursday 13 November 2025 as the first cohort of the MSc Rural Advanced Practice crossed the stage.

17/11/2025

We apologise for the inconvenience but the vaccination clinic in Dornoch on Wednesday 19 November has been cancelled. Our teams are doing everything they can to support everyone affected.
If you had an appointment, the local Service Delivery Centre will be calling to rearrange, however if you’d like to contact them:

📞 0800 032 0339 (voicemail available outside hours)
📧 nhsh.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot

Alternatively, you can also book online or call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝟭𝟵.𝟭𝟭.𝟮𝟱 𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬 𝗮𝗺 - The clinic in Bonar Bridge on Wednesday, 19 November 2025 has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Those appointed will be re-scheduled. We apologise for any inconvenience.

17/11/2025

16/11/2025

Vaccines are given to babies and children in different ways. Each one is designed to offer the best protection. Talk to your health visitor or visit nhsinform.scot/immunisation to learn more.

14/11/2025

Thank you, Lochaber!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the Partnering for Progress drop-in event in Fort William this week.

It was wonderful to meet so many residents, community groups, and organisations who took the time to stop by, explore the plans for our new hospital, and share your thoughts and questions about the future of health and social care in Lochaber.

Your engagement, insights, and enthusiasm mean so much to our team. These conversations help us better understand what matters most to you and your community as we work together to shape services that will serve Lochaber in the future.

We're committed to keeping you informed and involved as this exciting project progresses.

📸 Iain Ferguson

14/11/2025

🌟Just a few days to go!
Join us for the Little Lights Walk on Monday 17th Nov @ 17:30 at UHI Inverness Campus in support of BLISS 💜

Let’s light up the night for babies born premature or sick. Bring your glow sticks, lanterns, fairy lights—and wrap up warm!

14/11/2025

🌟 Scottish Careers Week: Day 5 | Meet Fiona Chatterton

What a perfect way to close Scottish Careers Week – with a story that comes full circle!

Fiona Chatterton is a final year GP trainee working in Beauly, but her journey with NHS Highland started long before medical school. As a young person from Inverness – and the first in her family to consider medicine – Fiona attended one of the first 'Doctor at Work' schemes.

"I don't come from a medical family so it was invaluable to see what a career in medicine could be like and get some hands-on experience. This helped confirm that medicine was what I wanted to do, gave me some experience to discuss at interviews and made me confident that I would enjoy medical school."

Eight years into her medical career, Fiona has experienced an incredible variety of roles:
• Completing foundation years during the pandemic
• Being the only doctor in Stornoway's Emergency Department
• Working as a teaching fellow, running simulations for medical students
• And now, preparing to complete her GP training

"Medicine is definitely a team sport and working with excellent colleagues is something I feel very grateful for. My career has been varied and enjoyable."

As Fiona looks to the future, she's excited about the diverse opportunities available to GPs – whether that's working in emergency departments, as a prison doctor, in general practice, or any number of other paths.

"I am grateful to be able to give back to my local community."

From being inspired by a careers event to now inspiring the next generation – Fiona's story reminds us why weeks like this matter. Every young person deserves the chance to explore their potential, regardless of their background.

Thank you to everyone who has followed our Scottish Careers Week series! If these stories have inspired you, explore what NHS Highland has to offer.

Visit: nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/careers-week

💙

13/11/2025

🌟 Scottish Careers Week: Day 4 | Meet Jennifer Davies

"I never saw myself being a Director of Public Health. I never had a 'plan' in terms of my career as others did, but what I have always been, is curious."

Today we're celebrating Jennifer Davies, our Director of Public Health, whose 30+ year career journey is a masterclass in staying open to opportunities.

Starting as a dietitian in South Wales in 1992, Jennifer's career has taken her across three nations and multiple sectors – from NHS trusts and local authorities to universities and even Bupa, where she set up a global Public Health & Behavioural Insights unit.

What brought her to the Highlands?
"The Health Board's ambition and commitment to becoming more focused on prevention and population health was my top priority. Scotland has been a leader in acting on health inequalities and driving forward integration of health and social care – I wanted to come and learn from how things are done here. Plus, Highland is one of the most beautiful parts of the country!"

Jennifer's career wisdom:
💙 "I've taken up opportunities as they presented themselves, even when I wasn't sure I could do it. Sometimes that was scary and I haven't always gotten it right, but every part of my journey has taught me something."
💙 "I have learnt the most from the people I have met along the way. Be open to listening & learning from voices that are different to yours."
💙 "Know what your values are and be true to yourself."
💙 "Be kind – to yourself and others."

Whether you're just starting out or looking for your next challenge, remember: you don't need to have everything figured out. Stay curious, embrace opportunities, and keep learning.

13/11/2025

Welcome to our new Board members! 👋

We're pleased to welcome Graham Illsley and Brian Steven to the NHS Highland Board.

Graham brings over 15 years of healthcare and charity sector experience, having worked as a doctor in NHS Tayside before moving into senior leadership roles focused on governance and strategy.

Brian is an experienced chartered accountant with extensive NHS finance expertise, having held senior positions in some of the largest health bodies in Scotland and England.

Both have been appointed for four years and will help guide NHS Highland as we continue to provide the best possible care for our communities.

Welcome aboard, Graham and Brian!

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