A plan to slash a massive repair bill for NHS Grampian properties is expected to be approved by health board chiefs at a meeting tomorrow.
Members will be asked to support the strategy to reduce a backlog of maintenance at buildings across the region.
The current overall cost is estimated at £171.9million – the second highest among NHS boards in Scotland.
The savings will be made by a combination of replacing old buildings, investing in new facilities and selling off property.
Health bosses will be asked to authorise a budget of up to £11.5million for work to upgrade the east end of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
An initial agreement on proposals to replace the Denburn Health Centre will also be sought.
A report to the board meeting says £68.4million of the total £171.9million backlog cost is regarded as “high or very high risk”.
NHS Grampian is aiming to cut the bill by 30% or £52.2million by March 2018.
Work on the east end block of ARI was approved by the board in September 2013 and is expected to be completed by June this year.
Agreement on the Denburn Health Centre plans will allow for the preparation of a full business case, which will have to be reviewed and approved by the board.
The report acknowledges, that there will still be a “sizeable backlog risk” in the estate in March 2018.
If the work is not carried out, the report warns that buildings may become unsafe, clinical services may be interrupted and new technology may be restricted. Board members will also be given an update on the latest position regarding bed-blocking.
Ongoing problems with delayed discharges in the region, and particularly in Aberdeen, have been blamed on difficulties in recruiting care staff.
Last month, it emerged that a shortage of beds had resulted in 21 operations being cancelled in just two days.
NHS Grampian pointed out that 1,400 patients were admitted for treatment during that time.
Council officials in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire said they were working “closely” with the health board to cut the amount of time patients are waiting to be discharged.