Media Release: Inspection report for Balfour Hospital, NHS Orkney
Healthcare Improvement Scotland today (Thursday 16 July) published a report relating to a safe delivery of care inspection visit to Balfour Hospital, NHS Orkney. The inspection took place from 23 – 24 March 2026.
Our safe delivery of care inspections aim to take account of the changing risk considerations and sustained service pressures currently across NHS Scotland.
Speaking of the report, Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“We found that wards were calm and well organised with clear leadership. Patients we spoke with described good, responsive care and we saw them being treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
“Hospital huddles were inclusive, well attended and supported staff to identify potential staffing risks.
“Domestic staff were visible throughout the hospital and it was found to be clean and well-maintained, with all areas inspected tidy and uncluttered.
“Student nurses described positive learning experiences during their placements and NHS Orkney has developed a structured pathway to support newly qualified nurses from training into practice.
“Internationally recruited nurses also reported positive experiences of support and inclusion within NHS Orkney and described feeling welcomed, safe and respected.”
Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Areas for improvement identified included ensuring that timescales for the review of adverse events and significant adverse events are met. Improvements were also required in the completion of electronic staffing tools, and in assuring that clinical leaders are provided with protected time to fulfil their leadership responsibilities, including completion of staff appraisals.
Further improvements are also required to ensure compliance with key mandatory training, including fire safety and paediatric life support.
The Balfour Hospital inspection resulted in eight areas of good practice and seven requirements.
An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Orkney to meet the requirements.
The full inspection report is available to view at:
https://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.scot/publications/balfour-hospital-safe-delivery-of-care-inspection-report-july-2026/
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Notes to editor
This report is part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s programme of inspections and reviews.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s statutory role is to help improve the quality of health and care, provide information to the public about the quality of health and care services, monitor public involvement, and to evaluate and provide advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of medicines and health technologies.