NHS Highland

NHS Highland

NHS Highland is one of the 14 regional health boards within NHS Scotland. It is responsible for providing a wide range of healthcare services—including primary, community, acute, and emergency care—across the largest geographical area of any health board in Scotland, covering approximately 41% of the country's landmass.

Who We Are

NHS Highland is the public body responsible for the health and social care of residents across the Highlands, Argyll, and Bute. They operate a complex network of hospitals, community clinics, and support services, balancing the needs of a widely dispersed rural population with the demand for highly specialised clinical care.

What We Do

The board manages a broad spectrum of integrated services:

• Acute Care: Delivering specialist medical and surgical services, primarily centred at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and the National Treatment Centre.
• Primary & Community Care: Operating a network of local GP practices, community nurses, and health centres to ensure care is accessible within rural and remote communities.
• Social Care Integration: Through Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs), the board manages adult social care, mental health support, and elderly care services in collaboration with local councils.
• Emergency Services: Coordinating urgent medical responses and out-of-hours services across rugged and isolated terrain.

Approach & Values

• Person-Centred Care: The board prioritises service delivery that respects individual needs, focusing on accessibility, equality, and dignity.
• Integrated Delivery: By merging health and social care functions, they aim to provide a "joined-up" experience, reducing the friction often found between hospital, home, and community-based support.
• Rural Innovation: Given their geographic scope, they are pioneers in telemedicine, remote monitoring, and rural clinical delivery models.

Industry Role

NHS Highland operates as a Public Sector Health Board. Their role is to act as the primary commissioner and provider of healthcare in the region, serving as the employer of thousands of clinical and support staff while overseeing the clinical quality and financial viability of the local health economy.