NHS Craigavon Area Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Craigavon Area Hospital, Craigavon Hospital, Craigavon A&E
Last updated sourced from Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Hospital details
Craigavon, BT63 5QQ
About Craigavon Area Hospital
Craigavon Area Hospital is a major acute and teaching hospital with around 450 beds, located on Lurgan Road in Portadown, Craigavon, and operated by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (HSC NI). It is the largest acute site in the Southern Trust and serves a catchment of around 240,000 people across Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Dungannon / South Tyrone. The 24/7 Emergency Department is a designated Trauma Centre, with the hospital also providing intensive care, maternity (including a Midwife-Led Unit), paediatrics, cardiology, and a full range of acute medical, surgical and diagnostic services. The Southern Division of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is also based on-site. Current Craigavon Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NIdirect average ED waiting-times feed and the Southern Trust.
Emergency Department (A&E)
The Emergency Department at Craigavon Area Hospital is for 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 Centre)
- Phone First Urgent Care Pathway
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- Cardiology and Coronary Care
- Maternity and Delivery Suite
- Midwife-Led Unit
- Antenatal and Outpatients (ANOPD)
- Paediatrics
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:48 | 280 mins | ±-0.4% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:48 | 281 mins | ±-2.8% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:48 | 289 mins | −11% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:48 | 323 mins | +16% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:48 | 278 mins | +13% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Craigavon Area Hospital
How Craigavon Area Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within Northern Ireland, Craigavon 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 Craigavon residents, the practical question is rarely "is Craigavon 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 Craigavon 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.
Craigavon 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 Craigavon Area Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Craigavon Area Hospital is 280 minutes (about 4 hr 40 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 Craigavon 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 Craigavon Area Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Craigavon Area Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Craigavon Area Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
How long can Craigavon 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 Craigavon Area Hospital?
The wait times for Craigavon Area Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Southern 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 Craigavon 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 Craigavon Area Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Craigavon 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 Craigavon Area Hospital?
Craigavon Area Hospital is located at 68 Lurgan Road, Craigavon, BT63 5QQ. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 2838 334444.