14/10/2026
Perth Royal Infirmary Emergency Department
The people of Perth & Kinross and the wider population of Tayside can be assured that there are no plans to close Perth Royal Infirmary Emergency Department (PRI ED).
As previously stated, there are no plans under consideration by Tayside NHS Board relating to PRI ED and its clinical and support teams continue to provide a critical component of NHS Tayside’s urgent and unscheduled care provision.
NHS Tayside can confirm, however, that there has been an increase in patients attending ED in Perth, as well as in Dundee.
Our teams are currently continuing to see a very high level of demand across our emergency departments and we need to make sure that they are able to see those with the greatest need rapidly. EDs are set up to see those people who have life threatening conditions and who require immediate input within minutes, however, around 15% of people who come to ED are redirected to other healthcare providers.
This includes people with ongoing medical issues and people with conditions which are normally managed successfully within Primary Care settings.
The majority of patients coming through the doors are self-presenting to the ED at PRI and this means that they are bypassing the opportunities for pre-arrival assessment from our doctors and consultants which can then signpost people to the most appropriate place/team for their condition.
If someone needs advice about an urgent care need, their first point of contact should be NHS 24 on 111. This helps our teams to ensure patients are receiving the right treatment at the right time, in the right place, while allowing the Emergency Department to prioritise patients with emergency care needs.
Most patients will be very familiar with alternative routes to access services which include NHS 24, GPs, community pharmacies, minor injury units, dentists and community optometrists.
