NHS Grampian could declare another critical incident if funds for more temporary beds not delivered in time

A Scottish health board has warned that it could be forced to declare another critical incident within months if more bed capacity is not found in the region.

Last month, pressure at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) became so severe that a critical incident was declared.

Some ambulance patients were redirected to hospitals in Dundee and Inverness after ARI revealed it had been operating at an average occupancy level of 111%.

Bosses added the hospital had not been under 100% capacity since September 8.

The incident cost NHS Grampian £32,000 in staffing costs, and the health board warned that a further £110,000 will be needed to try to maintain more beds through December.

However, the health board added on Thursday that if more bed capacity cannot be found, another similar incident may have to be declared in the future – which will also come at a cost.

Adam Coldwells, NHS Grampian chief executive, said: “We’ve done some additional planning at the board today. We got permission for having some additional contingency beds available so if the level of pressure in the system rises, we’ll be able to put in some contingency beds to increase our capacity.

“We’ll use that resource only when it’s necessary and only spend that money if that’s absolutely essential.”

NHS Grampian plans to increase bed capacity for three to six months if needed, but that will come with higher costs.

The Scottish Government today said it would work with NHS Grampian to help its financial situation.

Health secretary Neil Gray told STV News: “I’m glad [NHS Grampian] are through the critical incident and the most important element now is that we work with them to deliver a plan that avoids that scenario happening again.

“We have met with them. We will look at what asks there may be from Grampian, but it has to be backed with a plan and a sustainable plan for how they deliver their service.”

NHS Grampian says it has identified four 16-bed units that could help relieve pressure on the health service.

However, that would require agency staff, and using just one of those units could cost up to £550,000 for 12 weeks.

The increased pressure comes as the health service enters its busy winter period, where the pressures on hospitals like ARI are only set to increase.