NHS Grampian has declared a critical incident after A&E departments at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray's Hospital reached capacity ahead of a bank holiday. Some ambulances may be diverted to NHS Tayside and NHS Highland, and patients should expect longer waits. Officials urged prompt discharges to free beds while the Scottish Government points to a national plan and £90 million to help reduce delays.
NHS Grampian Declares Critical Incident as A&E Services Overwhelmed Ahead of Bank Holiday
NHS Grampian said the A&E department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was under "extreme pressure" [Getty Images]
NHS Grampian has declared a critical incident after describing "extreme pressure" on its accident and emergency (A&E) services. The board said the emergency departments at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin are struggling to meet demand and have reached capacity ahead of a local bank holiday.
Ambulance Diversions and Longer Waits
Board member Shantini Paranjothy warned that some ambulances may be diverted to neighbouring regions, including NHS Tayside and NHS Highland, and that patients should expect longer waits or further travel to receive care. She said the board is working with partners to ensure patients remain safe and well cared for.
"We are working alongside key partners including the Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Tayside, and NHS Highland, to take all necessary steps, including diverting ambulances only where absolutely necessary to ensure all patients are safe and well cared for," Paranjothy said. "We apologise to anyone impacted by longer waits or by having to travel further to receive necessary care."
Capacity Strain and Discharge Appeals
Paranjothy also said wider care services are under strain and urged friends and family of patients being discharged to help with timely departures so hospital beds can be freed for those who need urgent care.
Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin has also been affected by capacity issues [NHS Grampian]
Context and Recent Incidents
It is the first time NHS Grampian has declared a critical incident since December 2024. The Scottish Government’s most recent critical incident in Scotland involved an IT fault at NHS Highland in June 2025.
Political and Government Response
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr called the declaration "deeply concerning," saying staff are under intolerable strain and patients are suffering. He expressed alarm that ambulances have reportedly been diverted "in some cases hundreds of miles".
Health Secretary Angela Constance said the Scottish Government remains committed to improving A&E performance and tackling long delays. She highlighted a new national plan to improve patient flow through hospitals and noted £90 million of dedicated funding to support those waiting longest for treatment.
Constance also emphasised that pressure on A&E wards is worsened by delayed discharges into social care settings, which she said are the responsibility of local councils, and urged all partners to work together to ease the strain.
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