Emergency department average waiting times
Hospital emergency departments treat and care for people with a serious injury or life-threatening condition. When you go for treatment, staff will assess your medical condition. They treat patients with a serious injury or life-threatening condition first. Waiting times can change quickly.
When you have a medical emergency
You should only go to a hospital emergency department if you, a friend or relative has a medical emergency. Emergency departments are also known as Accident and emergency (A and E) or casualty departments.
If you or someone near you has a life-threatening medical emergency, call 999 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department
To find local emergency departments, go to:
'Phone First' Service
Patients including children who are feeling unwell and considering travelling to the following Hospital Emergency Departments for urgent treatment which is not immediately life threatening should Phone First:
- Causeway Hospital Emergency Department
- Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department
- Mid Ulster Minor Injuries Unit
- Craigavon Area Hospital Emergency Department
- Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department
- South Tyrone Hospital Minor Injuries Unit, Dungannon
Other healthcare services
There are other healthcare services that give expert care to treat your medical condition. Picking the service most appropriate to your symptoms means you get the right treatment in the right place.
Waiting for treatment at an emergency department
Waiting times at emergency departments can change quickly without warning. The table on this page lists average waiting times to be seen.
These times are calculated based on the average waiting times of patients in the previous four hour period. These times cannot be guaranteed and you may need to wait longer than the time shown.
This information is updated hourly.
Last updated: 2 minutes ago.
| Hospital/Unit | Opening hours | Average waiting time to be seen |
|---|---|---|
| Mater Hospital - Emergency Department | The Mater ED is not presently functioning as a normal ED due to its role as a Covid Treatment Hospital | Not Available |
| Royal Victoria Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 126 mins |
| Royal Childrens Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 85 mins |
| Antrim Area Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 107 mins |
| Causeway Area Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | Not Available |
| Mid Ulster Hospital - Minor Injury Unit | Open Mon-Fri 9.00 am-5.00 pm | 4 mins |
| Craigavon Area Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 151 mins |
| Daisy Hill Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 54 mins |
| South Tyrone Hospital - Minor Injury Unit | Open Mon-Fri 9.00 am-9.00 pm; Sat-Sun 10.00 am-6.00 pm | N/A |
| Downe Hospital - Mon-Fri Emergency Department; Sat-Sun Minor Injuries Unit | Open Mon-Fri 8.00 am -8.00 pm; Sat-Sun 9.00 am – 5.00 pm | 31 mins |
| Lagan Valley Hospital - Emergency Department | Open Mon-Fri 8.00 am-8.00 pm | 25 mins |
| Ulster Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 79 mins |
| Ards Minor Injuries Unit - Minor Injury Unit | Open Mon-Fri 9.00 am-5.00 pm | 6 mins |
| Bangor Minor Injuries Unit - Minor Injury Unit | Open Mon-Fri 9.00 am-5.00 pm | Update Pending |
| Altnagelvin Area Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 109 mins |
| South West Acute Hospital - Emergency Department | Open 24 hours every day | 53 mins |
| Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex - Urgent care and treatment Centre | Open 24 hours every day | Not Available |
Hospital services
Each hospital provides different types of emergency services. Find the facility most suitable for getting the treatment you need:
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Hospitals within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust are:
- Mater Hospital
- Royal Victoria Hospital
- Royal Children’s Hospital
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Hospitals within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust are:
- Antrim Area Hospital
- Causeway Area Hospital
- Mid Ulster Hospital
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Hospitals within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust are:
- Craigavon Area Hospital
- Daisy Hill Hospital
- South Tyrone Hospital
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Hospitals within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust are:
- Downe Hospital
- Lagan Valley Hospital
- Ulster Hospital
- Ards Minor Injuries Unit
- Bangor Minor Injuries Unit
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Hospitals within the Western Health and Social Care Trust are:
- Altnagelvin Hospital
- South West Acute Hospital
- Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex