NHS Maidstone Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone A&E, Maidstone Emergency Department, Maidstone Hospital A&E
Last updated sourced from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Hospital details
Maidstone, ME16 9QQ
About Maidstone Hospital
Maidstone Hospital is a major acute hospital on Hermitage Lane in Maidstone, Kent, run by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. It operates a 24-hour Accident and Emergency department for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, alongside an acute medical unit, emergency and planned surgery, maternity services, outpatient clinics and diagnostic imaging. The hospital is also home to the Kent Oncology Centre, a regional specialist cancer service. Together with Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, it forms the trust's two main acute sites serving west Kent, within the NHS Kent and Medway integrated care system. Current Maidstone Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from NHS Kent and Medway.
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. Maidstone Hospital's A&E is open 24 hours a day, every day. If your condition is urgent but not life-threatening, consider an Urgent Treatment Centre or call NHS 111 first — they can advise you and book you in if needed. In a true emergency, always call 999.
Departments & Services
- Adult Emergency Department (24/7)
- Acute Medical Unit
- Emergency and General Surgery
- Kent Oncology Centre (Cancer Care)
- Maternity
- Outpatient Clinics
- CT, MRI and Diagnostic Imaging
- Pathology / Laboratory Services
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
Maidstone Hospital A&E Wait Times in Maidstone — Last 24 Hours
| Hour | Avg. Wait | People Waiting |
|---|---|---|
Today, 9 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Today, 8 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Today, 7 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Today, 6 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Today, 5 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Today, 4 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Today, 3 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Today, 2 PM | 3 hr | 15 |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Maidstone Hospital
How Maidstone Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Maidstone Hospital is one of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust's two acute sites, and the natural comparison is with its sister A&E at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, about 25 minutes to the south. Both are full 24-hour emergency departments; Tunbridge Wells is the trust's larger, newer-built site with a dedicated children's emergency department and consultant-led maternity, while Maidstone is also home to the Kent Oncology Centre. Because both publish live waits on the NHS Kent and Medway feed shown on this page, west Kent residents between the two towns can genuinely compare them side by side before setting out.
Further afield, the next-nearest emergency departments are at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford (run by other trusts). For urgent but non life-threatening problems, an urgent treatment centre is often faster than either A&E. Wait times at any single site can swing materially within a day, so the nearest-alternatives section above — with current waits per site — is more useful than any single-site average, and for anything potentially serious an A&E is the right place even if its wait looks longer.
Maidstone 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 Maidstone Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Maidstone Hospital is 180 minutes (about 3 hr). This figure is labelled "Latest published" — 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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Maidstone Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Maidstone Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
How long can Maidstone 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 Maidstone Hospital?
The wait times for Maidstone Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells 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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Maidstone 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 Maidstone Hospital?
Maidstone Hospital is located at Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9QQ. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1622 226000.