Update on emergency departments pressures
Published: 27/09/2026 13:53While emergency departments at both Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary continue to be under pressure, the situation is improving.
NHS Grampian executive director on call, Shantini Paranjothy explained: “While colleagues in NHS Tayside continue to be on standby if needed, no ambulance diverts outside of Grampian have been necessary and our emergency departments at both Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray's Hospital are now better placed to support all necessary care.
NHS Grampian executive director on call, Shantini Paranjothy explained: “While colleagues in NHS Tayside continue to be on standby if needed, no ambulance diverts outside of Grampian have been necessary and our emergency departments at both Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray's Hospital are now better placed to support all necessary care.
"While we anticipate increased demands on services, with many GPs and pharmacies closed for the local public holiday tomorrow (28 September), we will stand down from critical incident footing as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
"Capacity within our hospitals remains challenged and extreme pressures on care within the community continue. We are pulling together with partners including NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), GMED and our health and social care staff across Grampian to make sure every possible resource is maximised and the delivery of care is as smooth as possible.
“If you've tried all self-help options, including the symptom checker on the NHS Inform website, and need support with healthcare issues this weekend, please remember calling NHS 24 on 111 is the best option. They can coordinate care with our Minor Injury Units, GMED, community hospitals and emergency departments and make sure you get to the right place. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please call 999.
“If you've tried all self-help options, including the symptom checker on the NHS Inform website, and need support with healthcare issues this weekend, please remember calling NHS 24 on 111 is the best option. They can coordinate care with our Minor Injury Units, GMED, community hospitals and emergency departments and make sure you get to the right place. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please call 999.
"We'd like to extend our sincere thanks once again to all the teams working across the health and social care system to support us during this time. It is important to remember they are continuing to deliver excellent care, even in the face of exceptional pressures. We apologise to anyone whose care has taken longer than we would like this weekend and would encourage you to engage with your health and social care teams if you have any concerns."
To access the symptom checker on the NHS Inform website visit: www.nhsinform.scot/symptoms-and-self-help
To access the symptom checker on the NHS Inform website visit: www.nhsinform.scot/symptoms-and-self-help
Follow the guidance available via www.know-who-to-turn-to.com
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 tomorrow (28 September) and you can find all the details of these at: www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk/nhs-grampian/pages/public-holiday-opening-hours
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 tomorrow (28 September) and you can find all the details of these at: www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk/nhs-grampian/pages/public-holiday-opening-hours