NHS Penrith Community Hospital Live UTC Waiting Times
Also known as: Penrith Hospital, Penrith UTC, Penrith Urgent Treatment Centre
Last updated sourced from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Currently Closed
This Urgent Treatment Centre is currently closed. Please check back during opening hours (8am to 10pm).
Every day, 8am to 10pm
Hospital details
Penrith, CA11 8HX
About Penrith Community Hospital
Penrith Community Hospital is on Bridge Lane in Penrith, Cumbria, operated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC). The on-site Urgent Treatment Centre is GP- and nurse-led, open 8am-10pm every day, and treats urgent but non-life-threatening problems including sprains and strains, suspected simple fractures, cuts and wounds, minor head injuries, minor burns, eye problems, bites and stings, ear and throat infections and skin rashes. On-site X-ray runs Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm only. The hospital also houses the 23-bed Eden Unit (rehabilitation and step-down care), outpatient clinics and community services. The UTC does not treat chest pain, stroke, breathing difficulties, major injury, overdose or any condition needing acute hospital admission — for these call 999 or attend the A&E at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle (around 18 miles away). Current Penrith UTC waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and NCIC.
Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)
An Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) is for urgent but non life-threatening illnesses and injuries that need same-day care - sprains, suspected broken bones, minor head injuries, infections and feverish illness. UTCs do NOT treat life-threatening emergencies. Call NHS 111 first to be directed to the right service. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Urgent Treatment Centre (daily 8am-10pm)
- X-ray (Monday-Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm only)
- Eden Unit (23 rehabilitation / step-down inpatient beds)
- Outpatient Clinics
- Community Services
- GP and Nurse Practitioner Assessment
- Note: not for chest pain, stroke, major injury — A&E at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:47 | 0 mins | — |
| Sat 25 Apr00:47 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr23:47 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr22:47 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr21:47 | 0 mins | — |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Penrith Community Hospital
How Penrith Community Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within North West, Penrith Community 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 Penrith residents, the practical question is rarely "is Penrith Community 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 Penrith and surrounding North West 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.
Penrith Community Hospital 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 Penrith Community Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current UTC wait at Penrith Community Hospital 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 Penrith Community Hospital 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 Penrith Community Hospital.
Is there a way to check UTC wait times for Penrith Community Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live UTC waiting times for Penrith Community Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
How long can Penrith Community Hospital UTC make you wait?
Urgent Treatment Centres like Penrith Community Hospital 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 Penrith Community Hospital?
The wait times for Penrith Community Hospital are updated based on the data feed from North Cumbria Integrated Care 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 Penrith Community 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 UTC department. It gives an indication of the maximum wait you might experience for non-life-threatening conditions.
What are the opening hours of Penrith Community Hospital?
Penrith Community Hospital is an Urgent Treatment Centre and is not open 24 hours a day. Current opening hours: 8am to 10pm. 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, please call NHS 111 first.
How do I get to Penrith Community Hospital?
Penrith Community Hospital is located at Bridge Lane, Penrith, CA11 8HX. The UTC entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1768 245555.