Hospitals under significant pressure

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin and community hospitals across Grampian continue to be under significant pressure this weekend, which is impacting on emergency departments.   

 
Anyone who is supporting a relative to be discharged today or tomorrow should do so at the earliest opportunity, in communication with ward staff.   
 
Members of the public are also reminded only to attend Emergency Departments if the situation is life-threatening – for example a suspected heart attack or stroke - in which case they should call 999 immediately.    
 
Everyone else can support our medics, and help us treat those needing life-saving care as quickly as possible, by calling NHS 24 on 111.    
 
Executive director on call, June Brown explained: "We are working across communities and hospitals to alleviate pressure on very busy wards, calling extra staff into work and are continuing to experience extreme demand on our emergency departments. Anyone attending emergency departments who is not facing a life-threatening situation may well be redirected to another NHS service or face extremely long waits. 
 
"If your family member is in the process of being discharged, please help us to get them home as quickly as possible."