NHS Mater Hospital Belfast Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Mater Hospital, Mater Infirmorum, Mater Belfast, Mater Hospital Crumlin, Belfast Mater
Last updated sourced from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Hospital details
Belfast, BT14 6AB
About Mater Hospital Belfast
The Mater Hospital (Mater Infirmorum Hospital) is a 236-bed acute hospital on Crumlin Road in north Belfast, operated by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. It is the main acute receiving site for north Belfast and south Antrim, including Glengormley, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey, and provides a 24/7 adult Emergency Department alongside acute medicine, acute surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine, urology, ENT, gynaecology, mental health and old-age psychiatry. Children under 16 needing emergency care should attend the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children on the Royal Victoria Hospital site rather than the Mater, and the Belfast Trust operates a "Phone First" service (028 9615 9444) for adult patients before attending. Current Mater Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NIdirect average ED waiting-times feed and the Belfast Trust.
Emergency Department (A&E)
The Emergency Department at the Mater Hospital in north Belfast is for serious or life-threatening conditions — chest pain, suspected stroke, heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, or loss of consciousness. For urgent but non-life-threatening problems use the Phone First service or call 111 for guidance. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Adult Emergency Department (24/7)
- Phone First Triage Service
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Cardiology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Urology
- ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
- Gynaecology
- General Surgery
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr00:06 | 172 mins | −61% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:06 | 445 mins | −14% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:06 | 518 mins | +44% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:06 | 360 mins | +29% |
| Fri 24 Apr20:06 | 280 mins | +90% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Mater Hospital Belfast
How Mater Hospital Belfast compares to nearby hospitals
Within Northern Ireland, Mater Infirmorum Hospital 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 Belfast residents, the practical question is rarely "is Mater Hospital Belfast 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 Belfast 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.
Mater Hospital Belfast 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 Mater Hospital Belfast?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Mater Infirmorum Hospital is 154 minutes (about 2 hr 34 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 Mater Hospital Belfast 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 Mater Hospital Belfast.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Mater Hospital Belfast?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Mater Infirmorum Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
How long can Mater Hospital Belfast A&E make you wait?
the Department of Health (HSC NI) sets a target to admit, transfer, or discharge 95% 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 Mater Hospital Belfast?
The wait times for Mater Infirmorum Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Belfast 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 Mater Hospital Belfast?
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 Mater Hospital Belfast A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Mater Infirmorum 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 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 Mater Hospital Belfast?
Mater Infirmorum Hospital is located at 45-51 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 6AB. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 2890 741211.