NHS Grampian declares board critical incident
A number of ambulance patients will be diverted to neighbouring health boards
Last updated 29th Nov 2024
A board critical incident has been declared by NHS Grampian.
Ambulance patients will be diverted to neighbouring health boards for treatment.
However, immediate life-saving care will still be provided at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
A number of elective procedures and appointments at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are also being postponed, but this will not include cancer treatment or diagnostic tests.
The decision was made due to sustained and significant pressures on the hospital.
Chief executive, Adam Coldwells said: “We have taken this significant step in light of sustained and continuing pressure at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
“Patients requiring immediate life-saving care will still be dealt with at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, however we are working with colleagues in neighbouring boards, and in the Scottish Ambulance Service, to divert other patients, where clinically appropriate, to alternative hospitals.
“Those already waiting at ARI will remain for assessment, and admission if required.
“As always, those with the greatest clinical need will be prioritised.
“We aim to resume business as usual as soon as possible.
"We will be postponing some elective procedures and appointments; this will NOT include cancer treatment or diagnostic tests.
“We are very sorry to anyone who will be inconvenienced; we want to reassure them they will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
"These options will assist us in the short term; we continue to work with our health & social care partnership colleagues to increase bed capacity to manage current demand across Grampian.
"The general public can help us by meeting friends or relatives due for discharge promptly - before midday if possible -so we can prepare the bed for another patient.
“Using NHS Inform to guide their self-care, or speaking to their GP practice, community pharmacy, or NHS 24 on 111 if they need further advice is also strongly encouraged."
ARI "not getting the support it needs"
Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East, said: "Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has had a long and difficult problem with emergency admissions.
"In the last few years there have been frequent periods where ambulances are stacking up.
"Things are in the red rather than green, a lot of the time.
"That's not discounting the efforts of the ambulance service, or the people on the ground at ARI.
"It is something that my colleagues and I have been trying to get some movement on from the SNP government.
"A host of health secretaries, the latest being Neil Gray of course, say a lot of the right things.
"But nothing is changing in terms of support for ARI.
"I know Dr Coldwells and his team won't have taken this decision lightly.
"Of course it looks grim — but that's the situation that NHS Grampian and the Scottish Ambulance Service have been left in."