NHS Orkney

NHS Orkney NHS Orkney are proud to deliver a wide range of health services to the people of Orkney. Check when your GP practice or pharmacy is open.

Seeking medical advice

Please do not post medical/health queries on this page as we will not be able to respond to these. If you require urgent medical advice:

• Daytime - contact your own GP Surgery
• Evenings, weekends and holidays - telephone NHS 24 on 111
• For serious accidents and medical emergencies - telephone the ambulance service on 999

Please also be aware that anything that you post on our page will be visible to everyone who accesses this page. Unauthorised photography, filming or recording

No one is allowed to make unauthorised photos, video or audio recordings in NHS Orkney buildings and grounds, particularly if they feature other patients, staff, carers, or visitors. This is to respect the privacy and dignity of individuals using our services and also our staff. Moderation

Please note this is a moderated information site and is not a public forum. This site is moderated Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm (excluding public holidays). The moderators reserve the right to switch off comments where necessary and delete any comments that contain vulgar language, personal attacks of any kind or offensive comments that target or disparage any ethnic, racial or religious group. Further to this, we also reserve the right to delete any comments that:

• are spam or include links to other sites
• are clearly off topic
• advocate illegal activity
• promote particular services, products or political organisations
• infringe on copyrights or trademarks
• use personally identifiable medical information (we recommend you do not share any of your medical information on our Social Media pages)
• contain case-specific and other confidential information
• spread misinformation that may cause harm

Requesting information

Requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) or the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) should be submitted as follows:

For Freedom of Information requests, e-mail: ork.foirequests@nhs.scot
For personal information requests, e-mail: ork.dp@nhs.scot
For further information, please visit the NHS Orkney Freedom of Information and Access to Personal Information sections on our website. Providing feedback on NHS Orkney services

Please don’t provide feedback on NHS Orkney and our services on this page. Instead, you can contact us direct to praise staff, comment on our standards of care or let us know your views on any other aspect of NHS services in Orkney by the following:

Post: Patient Experience Officer, NHS Orkney, The Balfour, Foreland Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1NZ

Tel: 01856 888221

E-mail ork.feedback@nhs.scot

You can also find these details on our Contact Us page - https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/contact-us

The Feedback Service is open during the office hours of Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm. Alternatively, you can complete a Feedback Card which can be requested at The Balfour main reception desk. Right Care, Right Place

If you are looking for medical advice, please speak to your GP, call NHS 24 on 111 (if it's out of hours) or visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/. For serious accidents and medical emergencies - telephone the ambulance service on 999. Don't run out of repeat prescriptions - order only what you need. Details of opening hours for GP practices and pharmacies are available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/national-service-directory/

For information on which NHS service to turn to when you’re ill or injured visit: https://www.nhsinform.scot/right-care. If we all use NHS services wisely, we can keep well and get the care we need quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.

26/11/2025

Battling the flu? 🤧 Here are some top tips from NHS inform to help you feel better and stop the flu from spreading:

TREATING FLU

🔹 Rest and Sleep: Give your body the time it needs to recover.
🔹 Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
🔹 Medication: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and ease aches and pains.

The symptoms of flu usually develop 1 to 3 days after becoming infected, and most people will feel better within a week.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD

🔹 Good Hygiene: Wash your hands often with warm water and soap.
🔹 Cover Up: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
🔹 Get Rid: Bin used tissues as soon as possible.
🔹 Stay Home: If you have a high temperature or feel unwell, stay at home to avoid spreading the flu to others.
🔹 Clean Surfaces: regularly disinfect places like your computer keyboard, telephone and door handles.

Remember flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. Follow our hygiene tips above to prevent the virus from spreading further!

26/11/2025

Reducing Medicine Waste – Check your repeat list is up to date

Let your GP know if your repeat prescription list needs updating.

Are there any medicines on your repeat list that you no longer take? And are the quantities and dosing directions correct?

It is important you speak to your GP before you stop taking a medicine.

Do not order any medicines that you don’t need or no longer take.

Real Life Story: Heather Thomson - Domestic SupervisorHeather has been part of NHS Orkney since 2017, starting as a dome...
25/11/2025

Real Life Story: Heather Thomson - Domestic Supervisor

Heather has been part of NHS Orkney since 2017, starting as a domestic working evening shifts. In 2023, with dedication and a strong work ethic, she stepped into her current position as Domestic Supervisor.

“I had been working at a care home for 9 years in various roles and fancied a change in work location. Joining NHS Orkney gave me that opportunity.”

Born and raised in Orkney, Heather takes pride in working within the community she grew up in.

“I enjoy helping members of the community that I’ve known in the past or making new acquaintances. It’s rewarding to give back to the place that shaped me.”

Heather values the support she receives from the Facilities team and appreciates the flexibility NHS Orkney offers when family commitments arise. She also highlights the benefits of working with NHS Orkney - from generous annual leave and pension contributions to parental leave.

“I enjoy working for NHS Orkney. I feel supported in the work I do, and the benefits make a real difference.”

Heather’s journey is a great example of how careers can grow within NHS Orkney, and how local people continue to make a big impact in their own communities.

🔗 Discover more about careers with NHS Orkney and explore our opportunities: https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/working-for-us/

24/11/2025

The Integration Joint Board - which is responsible for planning and delivering community health and social care services in Orkney - is looking for someone, or some people, to join the Board to represent the views of service users.

Having service users on the Board is important as it means any decisions taken by the Board are done so alongside the views of patients/individuals who use services.

Anyone who is a patient/individual who uses services (i.e. registered with a GP or Dentist, a care experienced individual or anyone who has involvement with any health and care service) could be a service user representative and could help shape how services are delivered in Orkney which helps improve outcomes for the Orkney community.

If anyone is interested, or knows someone that is interested, in learning more about this role please get in contact Stephanie Johnston, stephanie.johnston@orkney.gov.uk, to arrange a chat to learn more about the role and commitments.

24/11/2025

If you work in health and social care, you’ve got a reason to get the flu vaccine, as you’re more likely to catch and spread flu.
For more information and to book your appointment visit 👉nhsinform.scot/flu or check out the staff communications for details of drop in clinics.

Have you considered practising medicine in a setting where your expertise truly makes a difference?NHS Orkney is seeking...
24/11/2025

Have you considered practising medicine in a setting where your expertise truly makes a difference?

NHS Orkney is seeking an experienced Consultant Physician to join our dedicated team at The Balfour, a modern 44-bed Rural General Hospital serving a population of 22,000 across 20 islands.

This role offers clinical variety, autonomy, and the chance to shape care in a unique environment. Flexible working options, CPD support, and opportunities for placements in larger centres are available. Candidates within 6 months of CCT completion are welcome.

Combine a rewarding career with an exceptional quality of life in one of the UK’s most beautiful communities.

Find out more information here - https://apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=232724

21/11/2025

The local recovery group (Isle Fight) are holding Orkney's first recovery walk in Kirkwall on the 22nd of November. We are looking forward to being part of this important event.

The plan for the day is:
Meet at midday at the community centre
Pay respects by laying flowers
Proceed on a walk from:

Town Hall - Victoria Street - Junction Road - Tesco - Peedie Sea - Ayre Road - Bridge Street and return to the Town Hall

We would encourage others to get involved either by sharing this poster or by their presence on the day. Any questions, do let us know.

21/11/2025

Reducing Medicine Waste – Only order what you need

Check what medicines you have left at home before re-ordering them. Over-ordering medicines can lead to them going to waste if they expire or your prescription changes.

Only tick the medicines on your repeat list that you need – you do not need to order your medicines every time for them to stay on your repeat list.

New TV’s and ‘clickers’ following generous donation to NHS Orkney A donation of eight new TVs has been made to NHS Orkne...
21/11/2025

New TV’s and ‘clickers’ following generous donation to NHS Orkney

A donation of eight new TVs has been made to NHS Orkney following a collection at the late, Jimmy Millar’s funeral. Jimmy Millar, husband of Brenda Millar and Dad to NHS Orkney’s Patient Experience Officer, Julie Tait sadly passed away earlier this year. Before passing, Mr Millar spent some time in the Macmillan ward where he loved to watch TV.

Brenda said: “Jimmy loved watching TV, especially football and a good cowboy film. However, when he was admitted to The Balfour he struggled to work ‘the clicker’ (his name for the TV remote) and there were limited channels available. Although all the staff were fantastic with helping it was a constant frustration for him during his time in hospital.”

Julie said: “Those who attended dad’s funeral very kindly left donations and after a conversation with my mum, we decided new, easier to use TVs with more channels for the Macmillan Ward would be the perfect way to honour his memory and improve the experience for other patients in the future.”

Brenda and Julie were able to purchase eight new TVs with help from the IT Team at NHS Orkney with the kind donations made at Jimmy’s funeral. The new TVs were even tested to ensure they were suitable for all, had a range of channels available and an easy to use ‘clicker’. The feedback from the patients in the Dialysis Unit who trialled the TVs was that that all the patients “loved them!”. The new TVs have been split with some already in situ in the Macmillan Ward and the others going to Inpatients 2 (Hlin Assessment and Rehabilitation Ward).

Read more here, https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/new-tvs-and-clickers-following-generous-donation-to-nhs-orkney/

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2025💊Antibiotic Resistance is Everyone’s Business: Act Now, Protect Our Pr...
21/11/2025

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2025

💊Antibiotic Resistance is Everyone’s Business: Act Now, Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future 💊

Follow your vet’s instructions when giving your pets antibiotics: protect our animals from the threat of antibiotic resistance. Bacteria, including those carrying antibiotic resistance can be transferred between animals and humans and vice versa, therefore it is important to practice good hygiene to minimise this.
It is predicted that 10 million people could die every year, by 2050, due to drug resistant infections. This risk of increased deaths also extends to animals.

Although NHS Orkney does not look after your pets – use of antibiotics in animals affects human health as well as animal health. We call this the One Health approach, where we consider how human, animal and environmental health all contribute to our health and wellbeing.

The British Veterinary Association have shared a useful leaflet to describe your role as a pet owner when it comes to antibiotics:https://www.bva.co.uk/media/2643/client_leaflet_5_-_antibiotics_-_your_role_as_a_pet_owner.pdf

Are you an unpaid carer? If you provide care for a relative, friend or neighbour, you’re eligible for the flu vaccine th...
21/11/2025

Are you an unpaid carer? If you provide care for a relative, friend or neighbour, you’re eligible for the flu vaccine this winter.
Book your appointment now at 👉nhsinform.scot/flu.

Address

The Balfour, Foreland Road
Kirkwall
KW151NZ

Telephone

+441856888000

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when NHS Orkney posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to NHS Orkney:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category