Patients left trapped in ambulances speak out as NHS Grampian declares critical incident

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Patients have described being left trapped in ambulances for hours waiting to get into A&E after NHS Grampian declared a critical incident.

The health board has been forced to send sick emergency patients outside their region by ambulance due to "extreme pressure" on Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Health chiefs alerted the public to the major incident on Thursday night, and many patients have since spoken out about their own shocking experiences in recent weeks.

One woman shared how she endured a five-hour wait in an ambulance to get into A&E at the infirmary a few weeks ago. She was moved into another ambulance three hours into the wait so paramedics could respond to an emergency in Fraserburgh.

A relative also described how their elderly uncle had to wait 11 hours just to get an ambulance this week. When he finally arrived at hospital, he spent the entire night in the back of the vehicle.

In one shocking incident, a woman explained how a loved one died while waiting in the back of an ambulance. She said: "This is dreadful news, but I suspect most of us knew it was coming. A family friend died in the back of an ambulance sitting outside the emergency department earlier this year. Had he been accepted into the department, he would have lived."

Another patient explained that she was sent to A&E in Aberdeen for anaphylactic shock a few nights ago. She said: "The woman on 111 told me to go straight there and be seen immediately. I got there, but after an hour and a half, I was told there would be another 8–9 hours before anyone might see a doctor!"

One woman, who waited in A&E for eight hours on Tuesday, said medical staff seemed "overwhelmed" when they told patients that anyone who had not been triaged needed to go home and make alternative arrangements.

NHS Grampian has been plunged into crisis, with bosses admitting they are unable to cope with the surging demand. The shock statement also revealed they were unable to carry out elective procedures and appointments, though cancer treatment and diagnostic tests would not be affected.

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Chief Executive Adam Coldwells said: “We have taken this significant step in light of sustained and continuing pressure at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

“Patients requiring immediate life-saving care will still be treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. However, we are working with colleagues in neighbouring boards and the Scottish Ambulance Service to divert other patients, where clinically appropriate, to alternative hospitals.

“Those already waiting at ARI will remain for assessment and admission if required. As always, those with the greatest clinical need will be prioritised. We aim to resume business as usual as soon as possible."

Scottish Conservative MSP for North East Scotland, Liam Kerr, told the Record that he would have an emergency meeting with Health Secretary Neil Gray and NHS Grampian on Friday.

He said: “The fact that NHS Grampian is now unable to offer treatment to every patient is the fault of successive SNP health secretaries who have failed to tackle the increasing delays in our hospitals.

“We warned that these delays would lead to cancelled operations and cause backlogs throughout the NHS. Now NHS Grampian is in a state of crisis because the SNP has failed to act.

“The SNP cannot expect to close local hospitals, shut minor injury units, and deplete GP wards and still expect city hospitals to cope with the resulting influx of patients."

Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said: “I am deeply concerned about the strains on Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and NHS Grampian as a whole, and I will be raising this in Parliament in the coming weeks. My heart and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this."

Kabour Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, said: "The warning lights are already flashing on Scotland's hospitals and it's not even officially winter yet.

"The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned earlier this week that Scotland's hospitals were slipping behind those in England — the SNP must act urgently to reduce delayed discharge and improve access to primary care to ease the pressure on our hardworking frontline staff.

"The UK Labour budget delivered the equivalent of an additional £789 million of health-related consequentials this year and an additional £1.72 billion for our NHS next year, but it's up to this SNP government to make sure every penny is spent on health."

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We are working urgently with NHS Grampian to help mitigate the impact of the current pressures on unscheduled care at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and facilitate the necessary support.

“I have spoken to the Chief Executive to understand the board’s resilience plan and took assurance from the immediate actions in hand and from the engagement and support from the wider health and social care system.

“Patient safety is paramount, and the board is prioritising those with the greatest clinical need and communicating with the public accordingly.

“This type of sustained pressure on services is not unique to Scotland —similar challenges are being felt across the UK—but performance is not of the standard we all expect.

“We are protecting investment levels accordingly, including ensuring a record number of NHS 24 call handlers to direct people to the most appropriate care this winter, helping reduce unnecessary A&E attendances. We are also continuing investment in the Scottish Ambulance Service workforce."

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