NHS County Hospital Stafford Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: County Hospital, County Hospital Stafford, Stafford Hospital, Stafford County Hospital, Stafford A&E, County Hospital A&E Stafford
Last updated sourced from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Currently Closed
This Emergency Department is currently closed. Please check back during opening hours (8am to 10pm).
8am to 10pm, 7 days a week, adults 16+
Hospital details
Stafford, ST16 3SA
About County Hospital Stafford
County Hospital sits on Weston Road in Stafford and is run by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust alongside Royal Stoke University Hospital. Its Accident and Emergency department treats adults aged 16 and over and is open 8am to 10pm every day — it is not a 24-hour A&E. A children's Minor Injuries Unit operates on the same site over the same hours. Between 10pm and 8am, the nearest 24-hour emergency departments are Royal Stoke University Hospital, New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, Queen's Hospital Burton and Walsall Manor Hospital. The hospital also provides acute medicine, elective surgery, midwife-led maternity, outpatient clinics and diagnostic imaging for Stafford and surrounding villages. Current County Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS WaitLess live feed.
Emergency Department (A&E)
An Emergency Department (also called A&E) is the right place for life-threatening or serious conditions — chest pain, suspected stroke, heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, or loss of consciousness. County Hospital's A&E treats adults 16+ and is open 8am–10pm daily only; children under 16 with minor injuries can use the on-site children's MIU during the same hours. Overnight, go to Royal Stoke, New Cross Wolverhampton, Queen's Burton or Walsall Manor. If your condition is urgent but not life-threatening, call NHS 111 first. In a true emergency, always call 999.
Departments & Services
- Adult Emergency Department (8am–10pm daily, 16+)
- Children's Minor Injuries Unit (8am–10pm daily)
- Acute Medical Unit
- Elective Surgery
- Midwife-led Maternity Unit
- Outpatient Clinics
- CT, MRI and Diagnostic Imaging
- Pathology / Laboratory Services
- Pharmacy
County Hospital Stafford A&E Wait Times in Stafford — Last 24 Hours
| Hour | Avg. Wait | People Waiting |
|---|---|---|
Today, 11 PM | 2 hr 50 min | 7 |
Today, 10 PM | 2 hr 54 min−9.4% | 7−22% |
Today, 9 PM | 3 hr 12 min−8.6% | 9−25% |
Today, 8 PM | 3 hr 30 min | 12−7.7% |
Today, 7 PM | 3 hr 32 min+11% | 13+8.3% |
Today, 6 PM | 3 hr 11 min+21% | 12+20% |
Today, 5 PM | 2 hr 38 min+20% | 10+43% |
Today, 4 PM | 2 hr 12 min+3.1% | 7 |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near County Hospital Stafford
How County Hospital Stafford compares to nearby hospitals
Within Midlands, County 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 Stafford residents, the practical question is rarely "is County Hospital Stafford 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 Stafford and surrounding Midlands 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.
County Hospital Stafford 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 County Hospital Stafford?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at County Hospital is currently unavailable. 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 County Hospital Stafford 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 County Hospital Stafford.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for County Hospital Stafford?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for County Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.
How long can County Hospital Stafford 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 County Hospital Stafford?
The wait times for County Hospital are updated based on the data feed from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. The exact time of the last update is shown at the top of this page.
What does 'Current Longest Wait Time' mean at County Hospital Stafford?
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 County Hospital Stafford A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at County 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 County Hospital Stafford?
County Hospital is located at Weston Road, Stafford, ST16 3SA. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1782 715444.