NHS Orkney Balfour Maternity

24/11/2025

💜🧡 Happy MSW Day 🧡💜

We are so thankful to have an amazing team of Maternity Support Workers at The Balfour.

They are at the heart of everything we do. The midwives & obstetricians would be lost without them! Thank you for all your hard work & dedication 🫶🏼

21/11/2025

🩷🩵T H A N K Y O U 🩵🩷

A huge thank you to everyone who donated & sponsored us. The money raised will be utilised by Orkney Sands, so people affected by baby loss in our community can benefit directly 🫶🏼

13/11/2025

👩‍⚕️ B I O M E C H A N I C S F O R B I R T H 🔧

👏🏻 A huge well done to Zoe, for applying & winning this Iolanthe award allowing the midwives & obstetricians to complete this course! The first half have done their training today, with the other half due to complete next month.

We’re all very excited to put our newly learned skills into practice 😊 🧩 🧘🏼‍♀️ 🤰🏼

13/11/2025

No Aqua Natal class next week (19th Nov). Back to normal the week after.
Please spread the word.

11/11/2025

This morning, we held a small service at the cemetery to remember all the little ones we never got to hold 🕊️

Forever in our hearts 💕

If you, or a family member are struggling, please reach out, Orkney Sands are here to help 🧡

05/11/2025

Update On Hypnobirthing
We are currently trying to source some funding for our hypnobirthing books in order to continue offering this service.
Unfortunately the books can't be re-used as they contain a code to access the MP3s & videos.
In order to make it fair for all we are reluctant to charge for the books.
Hopefully we'll have an updtae soon. 😄

03/11/2025

NHS Orkney Quit Your Way Orkney team provides specialist support to those who are pregnant to quit smoking. The team will also support the partners of those who are pregnant and ready to quit smoking.

Second-hand smoke is harmful to everyone’s health, even pets, but it’s especially harmful to babies, children and those who are pregnant.

Most people who smoke want to stop, Quit Your Way can support you.

If you would like support to stop smoking or have any questions, get in touch via:

• Phone 01856 888084 (Public Health Department) or 0800 0356344 (Free phone)

• Email: ork.quityourway@nhs.scot

• Online:nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/health-and-wellbeing-services/12902%201ork1116 and select ‘Click to be contacted’.

• You can also visit your local pharmacy for free stop smoking support.

03/11/2025

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Huge congratulations to our very own Senior Charge Midwife, Lauren Flett, has been shortlisted for Excellence in Midwifery for Leadership.
A hugely deserving nomination and we are all so proud of her!

First up, the for Excellence in Midwifery for Leadership:
- Alexandra Birch, University of Staffordshire
- Natalie Shirley, Whipps Cross, Bart's Health NHS Trust
- Jules Gudgeon, NHS England
- Lauren Flett, NHS ORKNEY
- Bryany Tweedale, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

28/10/2025

If you have had a baby in the last year, we’d love to hear from you 🫶🏼

Please click the link below to complete a short questionnaire ⬇️

https://forms.office.com/e/6bKHhxSDAv?origin=lprLink

15/10/2025

Please find the link below for anyone wishing to join us online for the Baby Loss Wave of Light service;

Baby Loss Awareness Week Service (Kirkwall)

14/10/2025

Service for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025 (BLAW)

NHS Orkney in partnership with Orkney SANDs will once again be hosting a “Wave of Light” service as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Baby Loss Awareness Week runs from 9 – 15 October each year and is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss. Pregnancy and baby loss is often a taboo subject. You can help to break the silence around baby loss by talking to your friends, family, and colleagues about Baby Loss Awareness Week and by attending the service.

The Wave of Light service will take place on Wednesday 15 October from 6.30pm at the King Street Halls, Kirkwall. We realise that some people may not be able to attend in person and for those who can’t make it, the event will be livestreamed. The link to join the event is here, https://youtube.com/live/N8RD-cI2Mqw?feature=share

We encourage everyone who would like to light a candle in memory of babies lost, to do so at 7pm on Wednesday 15 October.

You can read more on our website here, https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/service-for-baby-loss-awareness-week-2025-blaw/

11/10/2025

The girls are ready to set off on their Ribbon Run! 🩷💙