NHS Queen Elizabeth Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: QE Birmingham, QEHB, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Edgbaston
Last updated sourced from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital details
Birmingham, B15 2GW
About Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) is one of the largest single-site hospitals in the United Kingdom, located on Mindelsohn Way in Edgbaston, Birmingham. It serves the local communities of Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Harborne, Bournville, Cotteridge and the wider West Midlands region. Operated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, QEHB is a regional centre for major trauma, burns and plastics, neurosciences, liver and kidney transplantation, and cancer care, and houses the largest critical care unit in Europe. The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with current A&E waiting times tracked here in real time.
Emergency Department (A&E)
This facility is a 24/7 Emergency Department (A&E), providing care for serious and life-threatening conditions including major trauma, chest pain, stroke and severe injuries. For minor injuries (sprains, small cuts, simple fractures) consider a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre, or call NHS 111 first. For life-threatening emergencies always call 999.
Departments & Services
- Accident & Emergency (A&E)
- Major Trauma Centre
- Critical Care
- X-ray and Diagnostic Imaging
- Blood Tests
- Maternity
- Outpatient Services
- Day Surgery
- Pharmacy
- Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr00:01 | 193 mins | +22% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:01 | 158 mins | −22% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:01 | 203 mins | +30% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:01 | 156 mins | +28% |
| Fri 24 Apr20:01 | 122 mins | ±0.0% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Queen Elizabeth Hospital
How Queen Elizabeth Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within Midlands, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham 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 Birmingham residents, the practical question is rarely "is Queen Elizabeth 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 Birmingham and surrounding Midlands 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.
Queen Elizabeth 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham is 213 minutes (about 3 hr 33 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 Queen Elizabeth 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
How long can Queen Elizabeth 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
The wait times for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham are updated based on the data feed from University Hospitals Birmingham 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 Queen Elizabeth 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital?
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham is located at Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2GW. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1213 712000.