• We understand that the publication of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland reports about NHS Grampian may cause concern for patients, families and people waiting for treatment. 

• If you have an appointment with NHS Grampian, please continue to attend as planned unless we contact you directly to tell you otherwise. 

• If you need healthcare, please continue to seek the care you need without delay. 

• Please be reassured that every day, thousands of people receive excellent care from dedicated staff and teams across NHS Grampian.  

• The inspection reports published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland rightly include recommendations for improvement but they also recognise many examples of compassionate, patient-centred care from our committed staff. 

We have set up a dedicated telephone line - 08085 202030 - this is available on weekdays 8am - 6pm for anyone with specific concerns. 

What has been published? 

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has published a Diagnostic Review of NHS Grampian, together with three Safe Delivery of Care inspection reports. The inspection reports cover maternity services at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and Dr Gray’s Hospital, as well as acute and mental health services at Dr Gray’s Hospital. 

The Diagnostic Review was commissioned by our Chief Executive to provide an independent, external assessment of clinical governance across NHS Grampian, including at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray’s Hospital. 

What did the reports find? 

The Diagnostic Review identifies serious and longstanding shortcomings, particularly in Board and clinical governance, organisational culture, how services work together and delays in investigating and learning from incidents involving patient care. NHS Grampian accepts these findings and apologises to patients, families and communities. 

The Safe Delivery of Care reports also identify areas where improvement is required, including governance and oversight, staff training, adverse event management, staffing arrangements and aspects of clinical care. 

Importantly, the inspection reports also highlight good practice and positive patient experiences. Inspectors recognised compassionate and respectful care, multidisciplinary teamwork and well-led and organised services in a number of areas. 

Should I be worried about my care? 

Patient safety remains our absolute priority. NHS Grampian is taking the issues raised seriously and improvement work is already underway. 

We understand why the findings may cause anxiety. However, please continue to attend any appointment, procedure or treatment as planned. If there is any change to your appointment or care, the team responsible for your care will contact you. 

If you become unwell or need healthcare, please continue to seek help in the most appropriate way. 

What is NHS Grampian doing in response? 

We fully accept that improvements are needed. 

Action is already underway to strengthen clinical governance, improve how adverse events are reported and learned from, improve mandatory training and appraisal compliance, and address specific clinical and staffing issues identified through the inspection process. 

We will respond to the wider Diagnostic Review with urgency. We will be open and transparent about what needs to change, who is responsible for delivering that change and how progress will be measured. The immediate actions required will also be considered by the Board at its public meeting on 3 December 2026 and will be shared on our website. 

Our focus is on turning the findings into meaningful and lasting improvement for our patients, staff and communities. 

I am worried about my own care or an appointment 

If your concern relates specifically to your treatment, an upcoming appointment or your individual care, please contact the service responsible for your care using the contact details provided on your appointment letter or other correspondence. 

If you have an appointment and have not been contacted by NHS Grampian to change it, please attend as planned. 

For additional enquiries arising from publication of the reports, a dedicated telephone line is also available on weekdays, 8 am – 6pm: 08085 202030 in addition to our own switchboard. 

I would like to tell you about my experience 

We value feedback from patients, families and members of the public. 

If you would like to share your experience, make a comment or provide feedback, you can: 

Share your experience through Care Opinion.

Contact NHS Grampian Feedback: Feedback and Complaints

If your concern relates to something that has happened during your care, please provide enough information for the appropriate team to understand and respond to the issue. 

Read the reports 

Healthcare Improvement Scotland Diagnostic Review

Safe Delivery of Care inspection reports:

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary maternity inspection report 

Dr Gray’s Hospital maternity inspection 

Dr Gray’s Hospital mental health ward and acute services inspection report 

We recognise the seriousness of the findings and understand the concerns they may raise. We are committed to responding openly, acting with urgency and making the sustained improvements that our patients, staff and communities rightly expect. 

Published: 12/11/2026 08:24