NHS Heartlands Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Heartlands, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, BHH
Last updated sourced from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital details
Birmingham, B9 5SS
About Heartlands Hospital
Heartlands Hospital is a major acute teaching hospital on Bordesley Green East in east Birmingham, operated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). It serves the diverse communities of Bordesley Green, Yardley, Sheldon, Small Heath, Acocks Green and north Solihull, and is a regional centre for HIV and infectious diseases. The site runs one of the West Midlands' largest maternity services with around 6,000 births a year, hosts a Hyper Acute Stroke Unit, and opened the new Heartlands Treatment Centre in January 2023 with 120 consultation rooms, ENT and audiology, ultrasound and on-site CT and MRI. The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, alongside an Acute Medical Unit, critical care, paediatrics, neonatal care, oncology, renal medicine and a full range of medical and surgical specialties. Current Heartlands Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Emergency Department (A&E)
This facility is a 24/7 Emergency Department (A&E), providing care for serious and life-threatening conditions. For minor injuries and illnesses, consider a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre, or call NHS 111 first. The nearest UTC operated by University Hospitals Birmingham is at Solihull Hospital (open 08:00 – 20:00 daily). For life-threatening emergencies always call 999.
Departments & Services
- Emergency Department (24/7)
- Acute Medical Unit
- Critical Care
- Hyper Acute Stroke Unit
- HIV and Infectious Diseases (regional centre)
- Maternity Services (~6,000 births / year)
- Neonatal Care
- Paediatrics
- Cardiology
- Care of the Elderly
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:49 | 204 mins | +8.5% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:49 | 188 mins | −15% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:49 | 222 mins | −19% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:49 | 274 mins | ±1.9% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:49 | 269 mins | +14% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Heartlands Hospital
How Heartlands Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within Midlands, Heartlands 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 Birmingham residents, the practical question is rarely "is Heartlands 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 Birmingham 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.
Heartlands 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 Heartlands Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Heartlands Hospital is 234 minutes (about 3 hr 54 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 Heartlands 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 Heartlands Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Heartlands Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Heartlands Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
How long can Heartlands 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 Heartlands Hospital?
The wait times for Heartlands Hospital are updated based on the data feed from University Hospitals Birmingham 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 Heartlands 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 Heartlands Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Heartlands 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 Heartlands Hospital?
Heartlands Hospital is located at Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5SS. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1214 242000.