Pressures on our emergency departments

Emergency departments at both Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are currently experiencing extreme pressure.  

 
NHS Grampian executive director on call, Shantini Paranjothy explained: “Our teams are facing a particularly challenging weekend due to the local public holiday on Monday (28 September), capacity within our hospitals and extreme pressures on care within the community. 
 
“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. 
 
“We are grateful to teams working across the system to support us during this challenging period. We apologise to anyone impacted by longer waits or by having to travel further to receive necessary care.” 
 
Members of the public should consider using the symptom checker on the NHS Inform website (www.nhsinform.scot/symptoms-and-self-help) as a first port of call and following the guidance available via www.know-who-to-turn-to.com Calling NHS 24 on 111 if you need further advice is also strongly encouraged. Please continue to dial 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency.  
 
Friends and family can continue to help us by meeting friends or relatives due for discharge promptly (before 10am if possible) in the coming days so we can prepare the bed for another patient.  
 
A limited number of community pharmacies will be open on Monday (28 September) and you can find all the details of these at: www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk/nhs-grampian/pages/public-holiday-opening-hours