NHS Princess of Wales Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Princess of Wales Hospital, Ysbyty Tywysoges Cymru, Bridgend Hospital, Bridgend A&E, POW Hospital
Last updated sourced from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Currently Closed
This Emergency Department is currently closed. Please check back during opening hours shown below.
Hospital details
Bridgend, CF31 1RQ
About Princess of Wales Hospital
The Princess of Wales Hospital (POW) is a 200-bed district general hospital on Coity Road in the Coity area of Bridgend, opened in 1986 to replace the older Bridgend General Hospital and operated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. It is the main acute hospital for the Bridgend county borough and serves a local population of around 160,000 people across Bridgend, Porthcawl, Pencoed and Maesteg. The 24/7 Emergency Department sits alongside a Level 3 Intensive Treatment Unit, a Level 2 High Dependency Unit, consultant-led maternity, neonatal services (NICU and Special Care Baby Unit), paediatrics, acute medicine, acute surgery, a fracture clinic, oncology and Wales's only PET scanner. The site also hosts the Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory (SMTL) and the Tŷ Llidiard child and adolescent mental health unit. Current Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend 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)
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Intensive Treatment Unit (Level 3)
- High Dependency Unit (Level 2)
- Maternity Services (consultant-led)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)
- Paediatrics
- Cardiology
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:51 | 195 mins | ±0.0% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:51 | 195 mins | −63% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:51 | 525 mins | +67% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:51 | 315 mins | +250% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:51 | 90 mins | −79% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Princess of Wales Hospital
How Princess of Wales Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within Wales, Princess of Wales 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 Bridgend residents, the practical question is rarely "is Princess of Wales 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 Bridgend 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.
Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Princess of Wales Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales Hospital?
The wait times for Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Princess of Wales 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 Princess of Wales Hospital?
Princess of Wales Hospital is located at Coity Road, Bridgend, CF31 1RQ. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1656 752752.