NHS Hereford County Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: The County Hospital, County Hospital Hereford, Wye Valley Hospital, Hereford A&E
Last updated sourced from Wye Valley NHS Trust
Hospital details
Hereford, HR1 2BN
About Hereford County Hospital
Hereford County Hospital is the only acute hospital in Herefordshire, located on Stonebow Road in Hereford and operated by Wye Valley NHS Trust. With around 240 beds, it serves a rural catchment of approximately 220,000 people across Herefordshire and parts of Powys in mid Wales — an area where more than 80% of patients live five miles or more from the city. The 24/7 Emergency Department sits alongside a Same Day Emergency Care Unit, critical care (levels 1, 2 and 3), maternity and gynaecology, paediatrics, acute medicine and surgery, cardiology, and a full range of outpatient and diagnostic imaging services. The trust also runs community hospitals in Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Bromyard for ongoing care after discharge. Current Hereford County Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and Wye Valley 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. If you're 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)
- Same Day Emergency Care Unit
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Critical Care (levels 1, 2 and 3)
- Maternity Services
- Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Care of the Elderly
- Cardiology
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:46 | 239 mins | +14% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:46 | 209 mins | −9.9% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:46 | 232 mins | +35% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:46 | 172 mins | +34% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:46 | 128 mins | +8.5% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Hereford County Hospital
How Hereford County Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within Midlands, Hereford 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 Hereford residents, the practical question is rarely "is Hereford County 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 Hereford 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.
Hereford County 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 Hereford County Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Hereford County Hospital is 269 minutes (about 4 hr 29 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 Hereford County 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 Hereford County Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Hereford County Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Hereford County Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Wye Valley NHS Trust.
How long can Hereford County 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 Hereford County Hospital?
The wait times for Hereford County Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Wye Valley 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 Hereford County 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 Hereford County Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Hereford 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 Hereford County Hospital?
Hereford County Hospital is located at Stonebow Road, Hereford, HR1 2BN. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1432 355444.