That the Parliament notes the reported concerns regarding challenges that NHS Grampian is facing in relation to staffing shortages and resource limitations, which it understands has contributed to delays in patient care and increased pressure on existing medical personnel; acknowledges that, in September 2024, NHS Grampian reported that over 3,000 patients were waiting over two years for hospital treatment, which it believes was the highest number among Scottish NHS boards; understands that, in November 2024, NHS Grampian declared a board level critical incident, which led to the diversion of ambulance patients to hospitals outside the region due in part to sustained pressures at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary; notes that, in late November 2024, NHS Grampian experienced a significant rise in delayed discharges, with 199 cases, which according to the NHS board accounted for 13% of all beds in the region; believes that hospitals in the area are using outdated medical equipment, including an MRI scanner and an X-ray machine that are 15 and 27 years old, respectively, and notes the calls for the Scottish Government to develop an urgent plan to tackle what it regards as the ongoing issues within NHS Grampian that are impacting on patient care and service delivery.
Supported by:
Jackie Baillie, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Jackson Carlaw, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane (Registered interest)
, Craig Hoy, Michael Marra, Liam McArthur, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Mercedes Villalba, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle