NHS Cheltenham General Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Cheltenham A&E, Cheltenham Hospital, Cheltenham General, CGH, CGH A&E
Last updated sourced from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital details
Cheltenham, GL53 7AN
About Cheltenham General Hospital
Cheltenham General Hospital is an acute district general hospital on Sandford Road in Cheltenham, operated by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It serves Cheltenham and the north of Gloucestershire (catchment of around 100,000 people) and is the trust's specialist oncology centre, hosting the Three Counties Cancer Network. The consultant-led Emergency Department is open 8am–8pm daily; outside those hours the on-site Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) is nurse-led 8pm–8am, with 999 ambulances diverting to Gloucestershire Royal after 8pm. Other services include cardiology, ophthalmology, maxillofacial surgery, an Acute Medical Unit, Same-Day Emergency Care and full diagnostic imaging. Current Cheltenham A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time.
Emergency Department (A&E)
Cheltenham A&E is consultant-led from 8am to 8pm and runs as a nurse-led Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) overnight. It is open to walk-in patients 24 hours a day, but ambulances and paediatric emergencies divert to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital at all times. If your condition is life-threatening, call 999. If you're unsure where to go, call NHS 111 first.
Departments & Services
- Emergency Department (consultant-led, 8am–8pm)
- Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (nurse-led, 8pm–8am)
- Same-Day Emergency Care
- Acute Medical Unit (AMU)
- Surgical Assessment Unit
- Oncology Centre (Three Counties Cancer Network)
- Cardiology
- Ophthalmology and Diabetic Eye Screening
- Maxillofacial Surgery
- General Surgery
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr02:47 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Sat 25 Apr01:47 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:47 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:47 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:47 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Cheltenham General Hospital
How Cheltenham General Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within South West, Cheltenham General Hospital is one of several urgent and emergency care sites and sits inside the wider NHS England performance framework. National waiting-time data is published by NHS England against the current NHS England operational standard of admitting, transferring or discharging 78% of A&E attendances 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 Cheltenham residents, the practical question is rarely "is Cheltenham General 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 Cheltenham and surrounding South West may also have access to a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre with shorter waits for less serious conditions. NHS 111 can confirm the appropriate service for your specific need before you travel.
Cheltenham General 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 Cheltenham General Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Cheltenham General Hospital is 0 minutes (about 0 min). This figure is labelled "Estimated" — 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 Cheltenham General 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 Cheltenham General Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Cheltenham General Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Cheltenham General Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
How long can Cheltenham General Hospital A&E make you wait?
NHS England's interim recovery standard sets a target to admit, transfer, or discharge 78% 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 Cheltenham General Hospital?
The wait times for Cheltenham General Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The exact time of the last update is shown at the top of this page.
What does 'Current Longest Wait Time' mean at Cheltenham General 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 Cheltenham General Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Cheltenham General 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, please call NHS 111 first.
How do I get to Cheltenham General Hospital?
Cheltenham General Hospital is located at Sandford Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 3004 223046.