NHS Grampian has set out its plans to manage extra demands on its services over winter.
The health board received over £2.2 million from the Scottish Government to carry out the work.
It will use the money to support a dedicated emergency department decision support service and recruit more consultants and doctors, among other measures.
Almost £1.5 million of the funding has been given to the board to tackle delayed discharge of patients from hospitals.
NHS Grampian has faced problems with recruiting adequate numbers of doctors, while three reports highlighting criticisms of healthcare in the north east, including a scathing review of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, were published recently.
The funding is part of a wider investment of £28.2 million across Scotland.
This includes £10 million invested in the Winter Resilience Fund, £8.2 million from the Unscheduled Care Action Plan fund to improve the way emergency care operates within hospitals, as well as £10 million to tackle delayed discharge.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: "I welcome this commitment from NHS Grampian to cope with extra demands at this time of year.
"Winter brings additional pressures for the health service, and NHS Grampian will use this funding to ensure preparations are in place.
"While people can help ease the strain by stocking up their medicine cabinet, getting a free vaccination if at risk of flu and knowing when their GP surgery is closed, the NHS still needs to play its part in preparing for whatever winter might bring."
Dr Pauline Strachan, deputy chief executive at NHS Grampian, said: "Planning for winter is a year-round activity in the NHS and in Grampian we have built up an excellent experience and hard data from previous years which are very important in planning.
"We work alongside partners such as local authorities, Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS 24 to ensure a collective response to anticipated pressures during the winter months, such as adverse weather, the festive period and increased demand due to winter-related illnesses such as norovirus, flu and respiratory conditions."
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