NHS Grampian declared a critical incident over A&E strain at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin; patient capacity was reached before Monday’s bank holiday. Some ambulances may be diverted to Tayside and Highland only where necessary; waits may lengthen.
Shantini Paranjothy of NHS Grampian said care services were also stretched and asked friends and family of patients leaving hospital to help them leave promptly, freeing beds. It is the board’s first such incident since December 2024; Scotland’s last was declared at NHS Highland in June 2025 over an IT fault.
The Scottish government defines a critical incident as a localised disruption that leaves a health board unable to deliver critical services or may put patients and staff at risk of harm. Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr called the declaration “deeply concerning” and said ambulances were being diverted, in some cases hundreds of miles, to the Highlands and Tayside. The Scottish government had been contacted for comment.
