Update on emergency department pressures

NHS Grampian has stood down the hospital-level critical incident at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin following the board-level critical incident which was stood up on Saturday (26 September) in response to extreme pressure on our emergency departments.  

 
While the board-level incident was stood down yesterday, an incident management approach continued at Dr Gray’s to help break the cycle of high bed occupancy and carry out case-by-case reviews of all patients delayed in hospital. Focused work alongside partners including Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS 24, GMED, community hospitals and community care teams continued to ensure a safe and sustainable environment for both patients and staff. 
 
NHS Grampian executive director on call Alex Stephen explained: “I am pleased that, following a sustained effort from colleagues across our health and social care system, we have been able to stand down the hospital-level critical incident at Dr Gray’s Hospital. Huge thanks to everyone who has gone above and beyond to help us reach this point. 
 
“While this is a positive step, pressures have not gone away. Our teams continue to manage significant challenges across the health and social care system, and demand for urgent and unscheduled care remains high. We will maintain our focus – working alongside partners – on reducing delays, supporting timely discharge and delivering high standards of care. 
 
“We continue to drive forward strategic plans and a substantial programme of improvement work looking specifically at hospital capacity, patient flow, delayed discharge and quality of care.  
 
“Once again, we sincerely apologise to anyone whose care was delayed or who had to travel further for care this weekend. We appreciate your patience and I would also like to acknowledge the professionalism, compassion and resilience shown by colleagues across the north-east and beyond. Their efforts have made a real difference and have helped us safely step down this incident.”