Health secretary apologises to patients as NHS board struggles with demand

The health secretary has apologised to patients in NHS Grampian after the health board struggled to cope with increasing demand.

Neil Gray visited Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Wednesday to discuss the pressures being faced by health bosses.

Last week, NHS Grampian revealed that it is expected to record its highest-ever yearly spending, amounting to more than £67.5m.

It came just months after the health board was forced to declare a critical incident due to the “very high demand” being faced by Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, which had been running at an average occupancy level of 111%.

Ambulance patients not requiring life-saving treatment were taken to hospitals outside of Grampian and some elective procedures and appointments were postponed when the incident was declared on November 28.

The hospital had not been under 100% capacity since September 8.

The incident cost NHS Grampian £32,000 in staffing costs with a further £110,000 needed to maintain more beds through December.

Speaking to STV News on Wednesday, the health secretary apologised to patients and staff.

He said: “Where there has been a situation that people are waiting for too long or they’re having to travel too far in order to access care because of the clogged system we have seen in too many parts of Scotland then obviously I apologise to patients and staff for that matter.

“What I’m interested in is trying to make sure that the budget we have allocated – £21.7bn for health and social care – goes through and is spent in the most effective way.”