NHS Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Queen Elizabeth Hospital London, QE Woolwich, QEH Woolwich, Woolwich Hospital, Woolwich A&E, QEH London A&E
Last updated sourced from Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Hospital details
London, SE18 4QH
About Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich
Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is a 459-bed acute district general hospital on Stadium Road in Woolwich, south-east London, operated by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. It is the main acute receiving site for the Royal Borough of Greenwich and surrounding parts of south-east London, handling around 170,000 A&E attendances a year. The 24/7 adult Emergency Department sits in Block A alongside a separate 24/7 walk-in Urgent Care Centre — for sprains, minor cuts, minor infections and similar non-life-threatening problems — plus consultant-led maternity and neonatal services, critical care, children's services, cardiology, stroke, major trauma reception, CT and MRI imaging and a wide range of inpatient and outpatient specialties. Current Queen Elizabeth Hospital A&E waiting time updates are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.
Emergency Department (A&E)
An Emergency Department (also called A&E) is the right place for life-threatening or serious conditions — chest pain, suspected stroke, heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, or loss of consciousness. If you're unsure, call NHS 111 first; they can advise you and book you in if needed. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Adult Emergency Department (24/7)
- Urgent Care Centre (24/7 walk-in, minor injuries / illness)
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Critical Care
- Maternity Services
- Neonatal Care
- Children's Services
- Major Trauma Reception
- Cardiology
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:49 | 245 mins | +6.5% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:49 | 230 mins | −11% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:49 | 257 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:49 | 257 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:49 | 257 mins | ±0.0% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich
How Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich compares to nearby hospitals
Within London, Queen Elizabeth 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 London residents, the practical question is rarely "is Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich 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 London and surrounding London 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 Woolwich 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 Woolwich?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Queen Elizabeth Hospital is 245 minutes (about 4 hr 5 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 Woolwich 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 Woolwich.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Queen Elizabeth Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.
How long can Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich 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 Woolwich?
The wait times for Queen Elizabeth Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Lewisham and Greenwich NHS 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 Woolwich?
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 Woolwich A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Queen Elizabeth 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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich?
Queen Elizabeth Hospital is located at Stadium Road, Woolwich, London, SE18 4QH. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 2088 366000.