NHS Prince Charles Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Prince Charles Hospital, Ysbyty Tywysog Charles, Merthyr Tydfil Hospital, Merthyr A&E, Prince Charles Merthyr
Last updated sourced from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Hospital details
Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 9DT
About Prince Charles Hospital
Prince Charles Hospital is a 430-bed acute district general hospital on Gurnos Road in Merthyr Tydfil, operated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. It is one of the three main acute sites in the health board — alongside the Princess of Wales Hospital and the Royal Glamorgan Hospital — and serves the head-of-the-valleys communities across Merthyr Tydfil and the upper Cynon and Rhymney valleys. The site provides a consultant-led 24/7 Emergency Department alongside an on-site Minor Injury Unit, a Clinical Decisions Unit, intensive care, consultant-led maternity, paediatric inpatients, fracture clinic, endoscopy, haematology and a full range of outpatient and diagnostic imaging services. The site is currently undergoing major refurbishment, so access and parking arrangements may change. Current Prince Charles Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS Wales feed and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
Emergency Department (A&E)
The Emergency Department at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil is for serious or life-threatening conditions — chest pain, suspected stroke, heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, or loss of consciousness. If you are not sure, call NHS 111 Wales first. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Emergency Department (24/7, consultant-led)
- Minor Injury Unit
- Clinical Decisions Unit
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Intensive Care
- Maternity Services (consultant-led)
- Paediatric Inpatients
- Cardiology
- Stroke Services
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:47 | 150 mins | −33% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:47 | 225 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:47 | 225 mins | +200% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:47 | 75 mins | −77% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:47 | 330 mins | +100% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Prince Charles Hospital
How Prince Charles Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within Wales, Prince Charles Hospital is one of several urgent and emergency care sites and sits inside the wider NHS Wales performance framework. National waiting-time data is published by StatsWales against the Welsh Government's standard that 95% of A&E attendances should be admitted, transferred or discharged 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 Merthyr Tydfil residents, the practical question is rarely "is Prince Charles 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 Merthyr Tydfil and surrounding Wales may also have access to a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre with shorter waits for less serious conditions. NHS 111 Wales can confirm the appropriate service for your specific need before you travel.
Prince Charles 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 Prince Charles Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Prince Charles Hospital is 150 minutes (about 2 hr 30 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 Prince Charles 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 Prince Charles Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Prince Charles Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Prince Charles Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
How long can Prince Charles Hospital A&E make you wait?
NHS Wales 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 Prince Charles Hospital?
The wait times for Prince Charles Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. The exact time of the last update is shown at the top of this page.
What does 'Current Longest Wait Time' mean at Prince Charles 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 Prince Charles Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Prince Charles 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 Prince Charles Hospital?
Prince Charles Hospital is located at Gurnos Road, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 9DT. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1685 721721.