Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr described the move as “deeply concerning”.
“Lives are being put at risk, staff are under intolerable strain, and patients are bearing the brunt of the crisis that is continuing to unfold at the health board,” he said.
“It’s extremely worrying that ambulances are having to be diverted, in some cases hundreds of miles, to the Highlands and Tayside. This simply should not be happening.”
Health Secretary Angela Constance said the Scottish government is committed to improving A&E performance and tackling long delays.
“While the challenges facing Scotland are not unique compared to the rest of the UK, I am focused on ensuring people get the care they need as quickly as possible and the status quo cannot continue,” she said.
“That is why I have published a new national plan to improve the flow of patients through hospitals and why we have provided £90 million of dedicated funding to support those waiting the longest for treatment.
“It is also why our reforms of the NHS will focus directly on improving services for patients and removing the current bureaucratic barriers in place.”
Constance said it was important to note that pressures on A&E wards are affected by “delayed discharge of patients into social care settings”.
She said this was the responsibility of local councils and all sides must work together on the issue.
