Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence®

At NHS Grampian, we are committed to creating environments where nurses and colleagues can thrive, grow and deliver the highest standards of care. Our participation in the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet® Recognition and Pathway to Excellence® programmes reflects this commitment and our ambition to provide exceptional experiences for both staff and the people we serve.

Magnet® Recognition Programme

The Magnet® Recognition Programme is a globally respected designation for nursing excellence, developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet recognises healthcare organisations that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing practice, outstanding patient outcomes, innovation, and a commitment to creating positive work environments where nurses can thrive.

Magnet provides a framework for excellence that benefits patients, families, staff, and the wider organisation. It fosters a culture of shared decision-making, professional development, evidence-based practice, research, and innovation. Nurses are empowered to influence care delivery, lead improvements, and make a meaningful difference to our patients and families.

Click here to visit the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® website

Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital: Magnet Designation with Distinction

We are proud to announce that on 24th June 2026, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital (RACH) was awarded Magnet designation with distinction, the highest possible level of international recognition for nursing excellence.

This achievement makes RACH:

• The first children's hospital in Europe to achieve Magnet designation
• The first hospital in Scotland to achieve Magnet designation
• One of a small number of organisations worldwide to achieve Magnet designation with distinction

Magnet designation with distinction recognises the exceptional care provided by our nursing teams and our commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for children, young people, and their families. It reflects the dedication, professionalism, and compassion of colleagues across RACH, as well as our focus on empowering staff to lead improvements in care.

The award of Magnet with Distinction was underpinned by 17 exemplars – outstanding examples of practice that demonstrated how RACH nurses translated evidence, research and innovation into exceptional outcomes for children, young people, families and staff. These 17 exemplars demonstrated the remarkable impact of the teams’ work, from shared decision-making and staff-led quality improvement to innovative medicines management, enhanced patient experience, care closer to home, and new approaches to clinical practice.

The Magnet process also highlighted the strong culture within RACH, where staff are encouraged to contribute ideas, influence decisions, and continuously improve the care they provide. Since beginning our Magnet journey, patient and family satisfaction has increased, and staff retention has improved, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating an outstanding place to receive care and an exceptional place to work.

While we are delighted to have achieved this milestone, Magnet is not a destination. We remain committed to continually learning, improving, and building on our success to ensure children, young people, and families receive the highest quality care now and in the future.

ANCC Pathway to Excellence® Programme

We are proud to share that on 12th May 2026, International Nurses Day, our Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Services (MHLDS) achieved Pathway to Excellence® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), becoming the first organisation in Scotland to receive this prestigious recognition, and the first MHLD service in Europe.

The ANCC Pathway to Excellence® Programme recognises healthcare organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to creating a positive practice environment where nurses feel supported, valued, and empowered. This prestigious designation reflects a culture where staff have a voice, professional development is prioritised, and high standards of care are consistently achieved.

Click here to visit the ANCC Pathway to Excellence Program website

What This Means for our Nurses

Achieving Pathway designation places NHS Grampian’s MHLDS among a select international community of organisations that have demonstrated excellence in nursing practice environments and staff engagement.

Within MHLDS, this designation validates the work of our teams and confirms that colleagues experience a workplace where:

• Their voices are heard through shared decision-making
• Leadership supports collaboration and professional practice
• Safety, quality, and wellbeing are prioritised
• Opportunities for learning, development, and career progression are embedded in everyday practice

These reflect the six Pathway Standards, which underpin a positive practice environment and support high-quality patient care.

Living Pathway in MHLDS

Achieving designation is an important milestone, but our focus is on Living Pathway every day.

This means continuing to embed a culture where nurses are empowered to influence practice, feel valued as part of the team, and are supported to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care. It reflects our ongoing commitment to staff wellbeing, professional growth, and continuous improvement in patient outcomes.

We are proud of what this designation represents for our staff, our services, and the people we care for, and we remain committed to building on this success.

Find Out More

The success of both Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® designations is built on the passion, expertise and commitment of our staff. Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to creating exceptional workplaces and outstanding care experiences across NHS Grampian.

We look forward to sharing updates, celebrating achievements and highlighting the impact of this work on staff and patient experience. For more information or to get involved, please contact us:

Joanne Grant, Lead Nurse for Excellence and Innovation (Nurse Accreditation), Magnet Programme Director and Pathway Programme Director.

joanne.grant2@nhs.scot or gram.magnet@nhs.scot

 

Published: 25/08/2026 13:29