NHS Downe Hospital Live UTC Waiting Times
Also known as: Downe Hospital, Downe UCC, Downpatrick Hospital, Downe Urgent Care Centre, Downe Minor Injuries
Last updated sourced from South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Currently Closed
This Urgent Treatment Centre is currently closed. Please check back during opening hours (8am to 6pm).
Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm; Sat-Sun 9am to 5pm
Hospital details
Downpatrick, BT30 6RL
About Downe Hospital UCC
The Downe Hospital is on Struell Wells Road in Downpatrick, County Down, operated by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. The on-site Urgent Care Centre (UCC) is a consultant-led service operating Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, with a nurse-led Minor Injury Unit on Sat-Sun 9am-5pm, and runs on a "Phone First" model — patients must call 028 4483 8091 before attending so a clinician can assess and book an appointment. The UCC treats urgent but non-life-threatening problems including upper- and lower-limb injuries, suspected simple fractures, sprains, wounds and wound infections, burns, scalds, minor head injuries, bites, broken noses and foreign bodies in eyes. The Downe no longer provides a 24/7 Accident & Emergency service — for life- or limb-threatening emergencies (stroke, heart attack, severe bleeding, major trauma) always call 999 or attend the nearest ED at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald. Current Downe Hospital UCC waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NIdirect average ED waiting-times feed and the South Eastern HSC Trust.
Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)
The Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at Downe Hospital in Downpatrick operates a Phone First system — call 028 4483 8091 before attending. The UCC also runs a Minor Injuries service treating sprains, suspected fractures, minor head injuries, cuts and minor burns. It does NOT treat life-threatening conditions. For chest pain, suspected stroke, severe bleeding, breathing difficulty, or loss of consciousness, call 999 or attend the Ulster Hospital A&E in Dundonald.
Departments & Services
- Urgent Care Centre (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, consultant-led, Phone First)
- Minor Injury Unit (Sat-Sun 9am-5pm, nurse-led, Phone First)
- Phone First Triage (028 4483 8091)
- Limb Injuries (suspected simple fractures, sprains)
- Wound Care and Wound Infections / Abscesses
- Burns and Scalds
- Minor Head Injuries
- Bites (human, animal, insect)
- Broken Noses and Nosebleeds
- Foreign Bodies in Eyes / Nose
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:46 | 0 mins | — |
| Sat 25 Apr00:46 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr23:46 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr22:46 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr21:46 | 0 mins | — |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Downe Hospital UCC
How Downe Hospital UCC compares to nearby hospitals
Within Northern Ireland, Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre 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 Downpatrick residents, the practical question is rarely "is Downe Hospital UCC 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 Downpatrick 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.
Downe Hospital UCC A&E — frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about waiting times and visiting this A&E.
What is the average UTC waiting time at Downe Hospital UCC?
As of the latest update, the current UTC wait at Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre 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 Downe Hospital UCC UTC least busy?
Across most UK Urgent Treatment Centres, 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 Downe Hospital UCC.
Is there a way to check UTC wait times for Downe Hospital UCC?
Yes, you can check the live UTC waiting times for Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
How long can Downe Hospital UCC UTC make you wait?
Urgent Treatment Centres like Downe Hospital UCC are designed for minor injuries and illnesses, not life-threatening emergencies. Most patients are seen within a few hours, but waits depend on how busy the unit is and the nature of your condition. If your condition is potentially serious, you should go to a full A&E department or call 999.
How often are wait times updated at Downe Hospital UCC?
The wait times for Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre are updated based on the data feed from South Eastern 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 Downe Hospital UCC?
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 UTC department. It gives an indication of the maximum wait you might experience for non-life-threatening conditions.
What are the opening hours of Downe Hospital UCC?
Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre is an Urgent Treatment Centre and is not open 24 hours a day. Current opening hours: 8am to 6pm. For 24-hour emergency care, go to your nearest A&E department or, if your condition is life-threatening, 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 Downe Hospital UCC?
Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre is located at 2 Struell Wells Road, Downpatrick, BT30 6RL. The UTC entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 2844 613311.