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Looking after our community and providing excellent care

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information

*Please note this page is not currently being updated*

To find out the latest on our Vaccination programme please visit our NHS Orkney Vaccination Programme page:

NHS Orkney Vaccination Programme 

To find out about the current situation in Scotland and the UK visit the NHS Inform website which is regularly updated. This site has sources of information and latest guidance about COVID-19 from NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Additional information and advice can be found on Scottish GovernmentHealth Protection Scotland websites.

Changes to Visiting |

Latest Updates

Changes to self isolation and testing - From 1 May 2022

From Sunday 1 May, most people will no longer be asked to take a PCR test if they have coronavirus symptoms. Instead, you should stay at home if you feel unwell.

  • If you feel unwell with coronavirus symptoms or have a high temperature, avoid contact with others until you feel better.
  • If you need medical advice, contact your GP or NHS24 on 111 out of hours.

Testing will remain in place for certain groups in order to protect highest risk settings and support clinical care. Test centres will also be closed from 1 May 2022.

Read more details

Coronavirus Testing

Most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test. To prevent the spread of infection, you should try to stay at home if you’re unwell. You can still access testing if you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for coronavirus treatments.

Coronavirus, and other respiratory infections such as flu, can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people. Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from coronavirus. But there’s still a chance you might catch coronavirus, or another respiratory infection, and pass it on to other people.

Read more details

Coronavirus in Scotland

There are no COVID-19 rules or restrictions in Scotland. We are now living with COVID-19 as one of a number of respiratory infections. 

There are things you can do to stay well and protect others:

  • try to stay at home if you have symptoms
  • if you have symptoms and do need to go out, wear a well-fitting face covering
  • get the vaccine if offered to give you the best possible protection
  • wash your hands regularly
  • meet in well-ventilated spaces
  • support Distance Aware, for anyone who prefers others to take extra care around them
Read more details

Protect Scotland App

From Friday 29 April 2022, contact tracing will stop.

You will no longer be alerted if you've been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Please keep the Protect Scotland app on your phone in case it's needed in the future. 

Protect Scotland app

Read more details

Service Changes (Archived)

January 2022

Health Visiting Service Update - January 2022

Dental Service Update - January 2022

June 2021

Diabetic Eye Screening - Service Update 15 June 2021

May 2021

Hospital Visiting Level 1 - From 17 May 2021

February 2021

Audiology Services Update - February 2021

January 2021

An Update from Orkney Health Visiting Team - January 2021

An Update on Dental Care in Orkney - January 2021

December 2020

Hospital Visiting during COVID 19 Outbreak - Level 3 restrictions

November 2020

An Update on Dental Care in Orkney - November 2020

August 2020

Diabetic Retinal Screening - Services restarting August 2020

Elective Surgeries Restart at The Balfour - August 2020

An Update on Dental Care in Orkney 3 August 2020

July 2020

Maternity Update - July 2020

May 2020

Covid-19 and Dental Care update 27 May 2020

Radiology Walk in Service - Reminder re suspension of Service 14 May 2020

April 2020

Changes to routine Audiology Service - 30 April

Changes to the way we deliver Health Visiting Service 16 April

Changes to the way we deliver Speech and Language Therapy Services 14 April

March 2020

NHS Orkney Quit Your Way smoking service has been reduced - 31 March 2020

Changes to School Health Service - 29 March 2020

Maternity Service - 25 March 2020

Radiology Walk in Service - suspension of service from Monday 23 March 2020

Community Pharmacy - 19 March 2020

Outpatient appointments for Children’s Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

Outpatient appointments for Allied Health Professions (AHP) Services

Radiology Service - 25 March 2020

Obstetric Ultrasound Service - 25 March 2020

Optical Services - 23 March 2020

Emergency Department - 21 March 2020

Facilities at the Balfour – 19 March

Dental services – 18 March

Pausing of all elective non-urgent activity – 19 March

Community Pharmacy – 19 March 2020

Maternity Communication - 19 March 2020

Changes to Visiting

Please DO NOT attend NHS Orkney's Emergency Department if you have COVID -19 symptoms

If you are experiencing signs of COVID-19 please DO NOT attend our Emergency Department or your GP Practice. 

  • If you feel unwell with coronavirus symptoms or have a high temperature, avoid contact with others until you feel better.
  • If you need medical advice, contact your GP or NHS24 on 111 out of hours.
Read more details

Latest News

Choose the "COVID-19" option under Topic on the news filter to narrow the results of your search

Getting in touch

We shall be delighted to hear from you, so here are the various ways of contacting us:

The Balfour

By telephone to:
01856 888100
(during office hours)

01856 888000
(out of hours)

By e-mail to:
ORK.feedback@nhs.scot

By letter to the address below:

Foreland Road
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW15 1NZ