NHS Altnagelvin Area Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Altnagelvin Hospital, Altnagelvin, Altnagelvin Derry, Altnagelvin A&E, Derry Hospital
Last updated sourced from Western Health and Social Care Trust
Hospital details
Londonderry, BT47 6SB
About Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Altnagelvin Area Hospital is a 471-bed acute and teaching hospital on Glenshane Road in Derry/Londonderry, operated by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (HSC NI). It is the largest hospital in the west of Northern Ireland and serves around 300,000 people across Derry, Limavady, Strabane and east Donegal. The 24/7 Emergency Department is a designated Trauma Unit, and the hospital hosts the regional North West Cancer Centre, renal dialysis, stroke care and maternity services. Current Altnagelvin Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NIdirect average ED waiting-times feed and the Western Trust.
Emergency Department (A&E)
The Emergency Department at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry/Londonderry is the largest A&E in the west of Northern Ireland and operates as a Trauma Unit. It treats serious or life-threatening conditions — chest pain, suspected stroke, heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, or loss of consciousness. For non-life-threatening urgent problems use the Phone First service or call 111. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Emergency Department (24/7)
- Trauma Unit
- North West Cancer Centre
- Renal Services (haemodialysis)
- Maternity and Neonatal Services
- Stroke Unit
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
- Cardiology
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr00:00 | 184 mins | +9.5% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:00 | 168 mins | −67% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:00 | 516 mins | +13% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:00 | 456 mins | +9.4% |
| Fri 24 Apr20:00 | 417 mins | −42% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Altnagelvin Area Hospital
How Altnagelvin Area Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within Northern Ireland, Altnagelvin Area Hospital is one of several urgent and emergency care sites and sits inside the wider Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSC) performance framework. National waiting-time data is published by the Department of Health Northern Ireland against the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) standard that 95% of patients are treated and discharged or admitted within four hours; live snapshots on this page are sourced separately from the trust's own published feeds, so the figures here can be more current than the headline national release.
For Londonderry residents, the practical question is rarely "is Altnagelvin Area Hospital fast?" but "compared to what?" Wait times at any single site can swing materially within a day, depending on staffing, ambulance arrivals and how full the wider hospital is. The nearest-alternatives section above lists the closest comparable sites, each with their own current wait — that side-by-side comparison is more useful than any single-site average.
For non-life-threatening issues, residents in Londonderry and surrounding Northern Ireland may also have access to a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre with shorter waits for less serious conditions. Phone First (or 111 in some areas) can confirm the appropriate service for your specific need before you travel.
Altnagelvin Area Hospital A&E — frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about waiting times and visiting this A&E.
What is the average A&E waiting time at Altnagelvin Area Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Altnagelvin Area Hospital is 362 minutes (about 6 hr 2 min). This figure is labelled "Live" — see the freshness badge next to the wait number for the exact source and timestamp. Wait times fluctuate throughout the day, so this may not be the exact time you wait.
What time is Altnagelvin Area Hospital A&E least busy?
Across most UK A&E departments, the quietest period is typically between 4am and 7am, with a secondary lull around mid-morning on weekdays. Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Monday mornings, generally see the longest waits. Check the Wait History above to see the recent trends for Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Altnagelvin Area Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Altnagelvin Area Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Western Health and Social Care Trust.
How long can Altnagelvin Area Hospital A&E make you wait?
the Department of Health (HSC NI) sets a target to admit, transfer, or discharge 95% of patients within 4 hours of arrival at A&E. However, wait times can be longer depending on the severity of your condition and how busy the department is. Patients with life-threatening emergencies are always prioritised.
How often are wait times updated at Altnagelvin Area Hospital?
The wait times for Altnagelvin Area Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Western Health and Social Care Trust. The exact time of the last update is shown at the top of this page.
What does 'Current Longest Wait Time' mean at Altnagelvin Area Hospital?
The 'Current Longest Wait Time' typically refers to the longest time any non-admitted patient has been waiting to be seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner after arriving at the A&E department. It gives an indication of the maximum wait you might experience for non-life-threatening conditions.
Is Altnagelvin Area Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Altnagelvin Area Hospital is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you have a life-threatening emergency, go directly to A&E or call 999. For non-urgent medical concerns out of hours, please contact your GP out-of-hours service. NHS 111 is being rolled out across Northern Ireland but is not yet available in all areas.
How do I get to Altnagelvin Area Hospital?
Altnagelvin Area Hospital is located at Glenshane Road, Londonderry, BT47 6SB. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 2871 345171.