NHS Derriford Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Derriford Hospital, Derriford A&E, Derriford ED, Plymouth A&E, Plymouth Emergency Department, UHP A&E
Last updated sourced from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Hospital details
Plymouth, PL6 8DH
About Derriford Hospital
Derriford Hospital is the largest specialist teaching hospital in the south-west peninsula and the regional Major Trauma Centre, located on Derriford Road in Crownhill, Plymouth, and operated by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. With around 1,000 inpatient beds, it provides secondary care for approximately 475,000 people across Plymouth, west Devon, south-east Cornwall and the Tamar Valley, and tertiary specialist services to a wider peninsula population of nearly 2 million. The 24/7 Emergency Department, designated a Major Trauma Centre since 2012 with night-capable helipad, sits alongside cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, transplant surgery, neonatal intensive care and stereotactic radiosurgery. Current Derriford Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
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. Derriford is the regional major trauma centre for Devon and Cornwall. If you are unsure, call NHS 111 first; they can advise you and book you in if needed. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Emergency Department (24/7, Major Trauma Centre)
- Helipad (night-capable)
- Acute Medical Unit (AMU)
- Ambulatory Care Unit
- Same-Day Emergency Care
- Intensive Care
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Cardiology
- Neurosurgery
- Neurosciences
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr00:08 | 491 mins | +11% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:08 | 442 mins | +14% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:08 | 389 mins | +16% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:08 | 334 mins | +12% |
| Fri 24 Apr20:08 | 298 mins | −12% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Derriford Hospital
How Derriford Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within South West, Derriford 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 Plymouth residents, the practical question is rarely "is Derriford 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 Plymouth 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.
Derriford 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 Derriford Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Derriford Hospital is 483 minutes (about 8 hr 3 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 Derriford 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 Derriford Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Derriford Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Derriford Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
How long can Derriford 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 Derriford Hospital?
The wait times for Derriford Hospital are updated based on the data feed from University Hospitals Plymouth 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 Derriford 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 Derriford Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Derriford 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 Derriford Hospital?
Derriford Hospital is located at Derriford Road, Crownhill, Plymouth, PL6 8DH. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1752 202082.