Magnet and Pathway to Excellence

Our Journey to Excellence with ANCC Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® Programmes

At NHS Grampian, we are proud to have achieved Pathway to Excellence designation, a significant milestone that recognises our positive practice environments and staff engagement. We are now continuing our journey towards Magnet Recognition, further strengthening our commitment to nursing excellence and outstanding patient care.

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.

ANCC Magnet® Recognition Programme

The Magnet Recognition Programme is a globally renowned designation for care excellence. The programme was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to recognise organisations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their strategic goals to improve patient outcomes.

Magnet provides a roadmap to nursing excellence that benefits the entire organisation. It fosters a culture of shared decision-making, education, and professional development at every career stage. Teams are encouraged to embrace evidence-based practice, research, and innovation, allowing greater autonomy at the bedside.

Click here to visit the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program Website

By pursuing Magnet status for Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, we are demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in nursing practice, and we're proud to lead the way as the first in Scotland. The leadership team truly wants RACH to be recognised as a great place to work, where colleagues are empowered to make positive changes and are recognised and rewarded for their contributions.

We are now at an advanced stage of our Magnet journey, having submitted our Magnet Document in 2025 and hosted our Site Visit in 2026. We expect to receive the outcome of the Commission in summer 2026, marking an important milestone in our continued commitment to nursing excellence.

Find Out More

Stay tuned for updates as we progress on this journey. For more information or to get involved, please feel free to contact us!

Joanne Grant, Lead Nurse for Excellence and Innovation (Nurse Accreditation)
joanne.grant2@nhs.scot or gram.magnet@nhs.scot

 

Published: 27/05/2026 08:59